3-phenoxymethylpyrrolidine compounds

ABSTRACT

In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds of formula I: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     where R 1-6  are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds of formula I are serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and process and intermediates for preparing such compounds.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/225,074, filed on Jul. 13, 2009; the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to 3-phenoxymethylpyrrolidine compounds having activity as serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) reuptake inhibitors. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, processes and intermediates for preparing such compounds and methods of using such compounds to treat a pain disorder, such as neuropathic pain, and other ailments.

2. State of the Art

Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage (International Association for the Study of Pain, Pain Terminology). Chronic pain persists beyond acute pain or beyond the expected time for an injury to heal (American Pain Society. “Pain Control in the Primary Care Setting.” 2006:15). Neuropathic pain is pain initiated or caused by a primary lesion or dysfunction in the nervous system. Peripheral neuropathic pain occurs when the lesion or dysfunction affects the peripheral nervous system and central neuropathic pain when the lesion or dysfunction affects the central nervous system (IASP).

Several types of therapeutic agents are currently used to treat neuropathic pain including, for example, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), calcium channel ligands (e.g., gabapentin and pregabalin), topical lidocaine, and opioid agonists (e.g., morphine, oxycodone, methadone, levorphanol and tramadol). However, neuropathic pain can be very difficult to treat with no more than 40-60% of patients achieving, at best, partial relief of their pain (R. H. Dworkin et al. (2007) Pain 132:237-251 at 247). Moreover, all of the therapeutic agents currently used to treat neuropathic pain have various side effects (e.g., nausea, sedation, dizziness and somnolence) that can limit their effectiveness in some patients (Dworkin et al. supra. at 241).

SNRIs, such as duloxetine and venlafaxine, are often used as first line therapy for treating neuropathic pain. These agents inhibit the reuptake of both serotonin (5-hydroxytrypamine, 5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) by binding to the serotonin and norepinephrine transporters (SERT and NET, respectively). However, both duloxetine and venlafaxine have higher affinity for SERT relative to NET (Vaishnavi et al. (2004) Biol. Psychiatry 55(3):320-322).

Preclinical studies suggest that inhibition of both SERT and NET may be necessary for maximally effective treatment of neuropathic and other chronic pain states (Jones et al. (2006) Neuropharmacology 51(7-8):1172-1180; Vickers et al. (2008) Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 18:3230-3235; Fishbain et al. (2000) Pain Med. 1(4):310-316; and Mochizucki (2004) Human Psychopharmacology 19:S15-S19). However, in clinical studies, the inhibition of SERT has been reported to be related to nausea and other side effects (Greist et al. (2004) Clin. Ther. 26(9):1446-1455). Thus, therapeutic agents having more balanced SERT and NET affinity or slightly higher NET affinity are expected to be particularly useful for treating chronic pain while producing fewer side effects, such as nausea.

Thus, a need exists for novel compounds that are useful for treating chronic pain, such as neuropathic pain. In particular, a need exists for novel compounds that are useful for treating chronic pain and that have reduced side effects, such as nausea. A need also exists for novel dual-acting compounds that inhibit both SERT and NET with high affinity (e.g., pIC₅₀≧8.0 or K_(i)≧10 nM) and balanced inhibition (e.g., a SERT/NET binding K_(i) ratio of 0.1 to 100).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides novel compounds that have been found to possess serotonin reuptake inhibitory activity and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitory activity. Accordingly, compounds of the invention are expected to be useful and advantageous as therapeutic agents for those diseases and disorders that can be treated by inhibition of the serotonin and/or norepinephrine transporter, such as neuropathic pain.

One aspect of the invention relates to a compound of formula I:

where:

R¹ is selected from —C₂₋₆alkyl, —C₃₋₈cycloalkyl optionally substituted with 1 or 2 fluoro atoms, —C₂₋₆alkenyl, and —C₃₋₆alkynyl;

R² through R⁶ are independently selected from hydrogen, halo, —C₁₋₆alkyl, —CF₃, —O—C₁₋₆alkyl, —CN, —C(O)—C₁₋₆alkyl, —S—C₁₋₆alkyl, —C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, and —NO₂; or R⁴ and R⁵ are taken together to form —CH═CH—CH═CH—; or R⁵ and R⁶ are taken together to form —CH—CH═CH—CH—;

with the proviso that when R⁴ is ethyl, R² is fluoro, R⁴ is chloro, R⁵ is hydrogen, and R⁶ is hydrogen, then R³ is not fluoro or chloro;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Another aspect of the invention relates to compounds of formula I having a configuration selected from:

or enriched in a stereoisomeric form having such configuration.

Yet another aspect of the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a compound of the invention. Such compositions may optionally contain other active agents such as anti-Alzheimer's agents, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, anti-Parkinson's agents, dual serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, opioid agonists, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, sodium channel blockers, sympatholytics, and combinations thereof. Accordingly, in yet another aspect of the invention, a pharmaceutical composition comprises a compound of the invention, a second active agent, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Another aspect of the invention relates to a combination of active agents, comprising a compound of the invention and a second active agent. The compound of the invention can be formulated together or separately from the additional agent(s). When formulated separately, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier may be included with the additional agent(s). Thus, yet another aspect of the invention relates to a combination of pharmaceutical compositions, the combination comprising: a first pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a first pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; and a second pharmaceutical composition comprising a second active agent and a second pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The invention also relates to a kit containing such pharmaceutical compositions, for example where the first and second pharmaceutical compositions are separate pharmaceutical compositions.

Compounds of the invention possess serotonin reuptake inhibitory activity and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitory activity, and are therefore expected to be useful as therapeutic agents for treating patients suffering from a disease or disorder that is treated by the inhibition of the serotonin and/or the norepinephrine transporter. Thus, one aspect of the invention relates to a method of treating: a pain disorder such as neuropathic pain; a depressive disorder such as major depression; an affective disorder such as an anxiety disorder; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; a cognitive disorder such as dementia; stress urinary incontinence; obesity; or vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause, comprising administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention.

Still another aspect of the invention relates to a method for inhibiting serotonin reuptake in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal, a serotonin transporter-inhibiting amount of a compound of the invention. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a method for inhibiting norepinephrine reuptake in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal, a norepinephrine transporter-inhibiting amount of a compound of the invention. And another aspect of the invention relates to a method for inhibiting serotonin reuptake and norepinephrine reuptake in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal, a serotonin transporter- and norepinephrine transporter-inhibiting amount of a compound of the invention.

Since compounds of the invention possess serotonin reuptake inhibitory activity and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitory activity, such compounds are also useful as research tools. Accordingly, one aspect of the invention relates to a method of using a compound of the invention as a research tool, comprising conducting a biological assay using a compound of the invention. Compounds of the invention can also be used to evaluate new chemical compounds. Thus another aspect of the invention relates to a method of evaluating a test compound in a biological assay, comprising: (a) conducting a biological assay with a test compound to provide a first assay value; (b) conducting the biological assay with a compound of the invention to provide a second assay value; wherein step (a) is conducted either before, after or concurrently with step (b); and (c) comparing the first assay value from step (a) with the second assay value from step (b). Exemplary biological assays include a serotonin reuptake assay and a norepinephrine reuptake assay. Still another aspect of the invention relates to a method of studying a biological system or sample comprising serotonin transporters, norepinephrine transporters, or both, the method comprising: (a) contacting the biological system or sample with a compound of the invention; and (b) determining the effects caused by the compound on the biological system or sample.

The invention also relates to processes and intermediates useful for preparing compounds of the invention. Accordingly, one aspect of the invention relates to a process for preparing compounds of formula I, the process comprising deprotecting a compound of formula XI:

or a salt thereof, where P is an amino-protecting group to provide compounds of formula I, where R¹ and R²⁻⁶ are as defined for formula I. In other aspects, the invention relates to novel intermediates used in such processes.

Yet another aspect of the invention relates to the use of a compound of the invention for the manufacture of a medicament, especially for the manufacture of a medicament useful for treating pain disorders, depressive disorders, affective disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, cognitive disorders, stress urinary incontinence, for inhibiting serotonin reuptake in a mammal, or for inhibiting norepinephrine reuptake in a mammal. Still another aspect of the invention relates to the use of a compound of the invention as a research tool. Other aspects and embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, this invention relates to novel compounds of formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

As used herein, the term “compound of the invention” includes all compounds encompassed by formula I such as the species embodied in formula Ia-Id, II-IV and all other subspecies of such formulas. In addition, when the compound of the invention contain a basic or acidic group (e.g., amino or carboxyl groups), the compound can exist as a free base, free acid, or in various salt forms. All such salt forms are included within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that reference to a compound herein, for example, reference to a “compound of the invention” or a “compound of formula I” includes a compound of formula I as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts of that compound unless otherwise indicated. Furthermore, solvates of compounds of formula I are included within the scope of this invention.

The compounds of formula I contain at least two chiral centers and therefore, these compounds may be prepared and used in various stereoisomeric forms. Accordingly, the invention also relates to racemic mixtures, pure stereoisomers (e.g., enantiomers and diastereoisomers), stereoisomer-enriched mixtures, and the like unless otherwise indicated. When a chemical structure is depicted herein without any stereochemistry, it is understood that all possible stereoisomers are encompassed by such structure. Thus, for example, the terms “compound of formula I,” “compounds of formula II,” and so forth, are intended to include all possible stereoisomers of the compound. Similarly, when a particular stereoisomer is shown or named herein, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that minor amounts of other stereoisomers may be present in the compositions of the invention unless otherwise indicated, provided that the utility of the composition as a whole is not eliminated by the presence of such other isomers. Individual enantiomers may be obtained by numerous methods that are well known in the art, including chiral chromatography using a suitable chiral stationary phase or support, or by chemically converting them into diastereoisomers, separating the diastereoisomers by conventional means such as chromatography or recrystallization, then regenerating the original enantiomers. Additionally, where applicable, all cis-trans or E/Z isomers (geometric isomers), tautomeric forms and topoisomeric forms of the compounds of the invention are included within the scope of the invention unless otherwise specified.

More specifically, compounds of formula I contain at least two chiral centers indicated by the symbols * and ** in the following formula:

In one stereoisomer, both carbon atoms identified by the * and ** symbols have the (R) configuration. This embodiment of the invention is shown in formula Ia:

In this embodiment, compounds have the (R,R) configuration at the * and ** carbon atoms or are enriched in a stereoisomeric form having the (R,R) configuration at these carbon atoms.

In another stereoisomer, both carbon atoms identified by the * and ** symbols have the (S) configuration. This embodiment of the invention is shown in formula Ib:

In this embodiment, compounds have the (S,S) configuration at the * and ** carbon atoms or are enriched in a stereoisomeric form having the (S,S) configuration at these carbon atoms.

In yet another stereoisomer, the carbon atom identified by the symbol * has the (S) configuration and the carbon atom identified by the symbol ** has the (R) configuration. This embodiment of the invention is shown in formula Ic:

In this embodiment, compounds have the (S,R) configuration at the * and ** carbon atoms or are enriched in a stereoisomeric form having the (S,R) configuration at these carbon atoms.

In still another stereoisomer, the carbon atom identified by the symbol * has the (R) configuration and the carbon atom identified by the symbol ** has the (S) configuration. This embodiment of the invention is shown in formula Id:

In this embodiment, compounds have the (R,S) configuration at the * and ** carbon atoms or are enriched in a stereoisomeric form having the (R,S) configuration at these carbon atoms.

Compounds of formula Ia and Ib are enantiomers and therefore, in separate aspects, this invention relates to each individual enantiomer (i.e., Ia or Ib), a racemic mixture of Ia and Ib, or an enantiomer-enriched mixture of Ia and Ib comprising predominately Ia or predominately Ib. Similarly, compounds of formula Ic and Id are enantiomers and therefore, in separate aspects, this invention relates to each individual enantiomer (i.e., Ic or Id), a racemic mixture of Ic and Id, or a enantiomer-enriched mixture of Ic and Id comprising predominately Ic or predominately Id.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound of formula I is 3-[1-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine or a stereoisomer thereof. In another embodiment of the invention, the compound of formula I is 3-[1-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine having a configuration selected from:

or enriched in a stereoisomeric form having such configuration. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, the compound of formula I is (R)-3-[(R)-1-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine or enriched in a stereoisomeric form having such configuration. In another embodiment, the compound of formula I is (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine or enriched in a stereoisomeric form having such configuration. In yet another embodiment, the compound of formula I is (S)-3-[(R)-1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine or enriched in a stereoisomeric form having such configuration. In still another embodiment, the compound of formula I is (R)-3-[(S)-1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine or enriched in a stereoisomeric form having such configuration.

In some embodiments, in order to optimize the therapeutic activity of the compounds of the invention, e.g., to treat neuropathic pain, it may be desirable that the carbon atoms identified by the * and ** symbols have a particular (R,R), (S,S), (S,R), or (R,S) configuration or are enriched in a stereoisomeric form having such configuration. For example, in one embodiment, the compounds of the invention have the (S,R) configuration of formula Ic or are enriched in a stereoisomeric form having the (S,R) configuration, and in another embodiment, the compounds of the invention have the (R,S) configuration of formula Id, or are enriched in a stereoisomeric form having the (R,S) configuration. In other embodiments, the compounds of the invention are present as racemic mixtures, for example as a mixture of enantiomers of formula Ia and Ib, or as a mixture of enantiomers of formula Ic and Id.

This invention also includes isotopically-labeled compounds of formula I, i.e., compounds of formula I where one or more atoms have been replaced or enriched with atoms having the same atomic number but an atomic mass different from the atomic mass that predominates in nature. Examples of isotopes that may be incorporated into a compound of formula I include, but are not limited to, ²H, ³H, ¹¹C, ¹³C, ¹⁴C, ¹³N, ¹⁵N, ¹⁵O, ¹⁷O, ¹⁸O, ³⁵S, ³⁶Cl, and ¹⁸F. Of particular interest are compounds of formula I enriched in tritium or carbon-14 which can be used, for example, in tissue distribution studies; compounds of formula I enriched in deuterium especially at a site of metabolism resulting, for example, in compounds having greater metabolic stability; and compounds of formula I enriched in a positron emitting isotope, such as ¹¹C, ¹⁸F, ¹⁵O and ¹³N, which can be used, for example, in Positron Emission Topography (PET) studies.

The compounds of the invention have been found to possess serotonin reuptake inhibitory activity and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitory activity. Among other properties, such compounds are expected to be useful as therapeutic agents for treating chronic pain, such as neuropathic pain. By combining dual activity into a single compound, double therapy can be achieved, i.e., serotonin reuptake inhibitory activity and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitory activity, using a single active component. Since pharmaceutical compositions containing one active component are typically easier to formulate than compositions containing two active components, such single-component compositions provide a significant advantage over compositions containing two active components.

Many combined serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are more selective for SERT than for NET. For example, milnacipran, duloxetine, and venlafaxine and exhibit 2.5-fold, 10-fold, and 100-fold selectivity (measured as pK_(i)) for SERT over NET, respectively. Some, however, are less selective, such as bicifadine, which has a pK_(i) at SERT of 7.0 and a pK_(i) at NET of 6.7. Since it may be desirable to avoid selective compounds, in one embodiment of the invention the compounds have a more balanced SERT and NET activity.

The nomenclature used herein to name the compounds of the invention is illustrated in the Examples herein. This nomenclature has been derived using the commercially-available AutoNom software (MDL, San Leandro, Calif.). Compounds of formula I have a 3-phenoxymethylpyrrolidine core. Thus, compounds of formula I where R¹ is —C₂₋₆alkyl have been named as 3-(1-phenoxyalkyl)pyrrolidines, and so forth.

Representative Embodiments

The following substituents and values are intended to provide representative examples of various aspects and embodiments of the invention. These representative values are intended to further define and illustrate such aspects and embodiments and are not intended to exclude other embodiments or to limit the scope of the invention. In this regard, the representation that a particular value or substituent is preferred is not intended in any way to exclude other values or substituents from the invention unless specifically indicated.

In one aspect, this invention relates to compounds of formula I:

R¹ is —C₂₋₆alkyl, —C₃₋₈cycloalkyl optionally substituted with 1 or 2 fluoro atoms, —C₂₋₆alkenyl, or —C₃₋₆alkynyl. In one embodiment, R⁴ is —C₂₋₆alkyl, examples of which include ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, and 3-pentyl. In another embodiment, R¹ is —C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, examples of which include cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, and cyclohexyl. In another embodiment, the —C₃₋₈cycloalkyl is substituted with 1 or 2 fluoro atoms, examples of which include, 4,4-difluorocyclohexyl. In another embodiment, R¹ is —C₂₋₆alkenyl, examples of which include but-3-enyl. In another embodiment, R¹ is —C₃₋₆alkynyl, examples of which include prop-2-ynyl.

R² through R⁶ are independently selected from hydrogen, halo, —C₁₋₆alkyl, —CF₃, —O—C₁₋₆alkyl, —CN, —C(O)—C₁₋₆alkyl, —S—C₁₋₆alkyl, —C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, and —NO₂; or R⁴ and R⁵ are taken together to form —CH═CH—CH═CH—; or R⁵ and R⁶ are taken together to form —CH—CH═CH—CH—.

It is noted however, that when R¹ is ethyl, R² is fluoro, R⁴ is chloro, R⁵ is hydrogen, and R⁶ is hydrogen, then R³ is not fluoro or chloro.

In one embodiment, when R¹ is ethyl, R² is chloro, R⁴ is chloro, R⁵ is hydrogen, and R⁶ is hydrogen, then R³ is not hydrogen.

In some embodiments of the invention, one or more positions on the aryl ring are substituted with a non-hydrogen moiety. For example, one such embodiment may be described by stating that that “R⁵ is a non-hydrogen moiety”. It is understood that this means that R⁵ can be any of the non-hydrogen moieties defined in formula I, i.e., halo, —C₁₋₆alkyl, —CF₃, —O—C₁₋₆alkyl, —CN, —C(O)—C₁₋₆alkyl, —CF₃, —C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, and —NO₂; or it is taken together with R⁴ to form —CH═CH—CH═CH— or taken together with R⁶ to form —CH—CH═CH—CH—. In one embodiment, at least one of the R² through R⁶ groups is a non-hydrogen moiety. In another embodiment, at least two of the R² through R⁶ groups are non-hydrogen moieties. In still yet another embodiment, at least three of the R² through R⁶ groups are non-hydrogen moieties. In one embodiment, at least four of the R² through R⁶ groups are non-hydrogen moieties, and in still another embodiment, all of the R² through R⁶ groups are non-hydrogen moieties.

Exemplary halo groups include fluoro, chloro, bromo, and iodo. Exemplary —C₁₋₆alkyl groups include —CH₃ (“Me”), —CH₂CH₃ (“Et”), and —CH(CH₃)₂. Exemplary —O—C₁₋₆alkyl groups include —OCH₃ (“OMe”), —O—CH₂CH₃, and —OCH(CH₃)₂. Exemplary —C(O)—C₁₋₆alkyl groups include —C(O)CH₃ and —C(O)CH₂CH₃. Exemplary —S—C₁₋₆alkyl groups include —SCH₃. Exemplary —C₃₋₈cycloalkyl groups include cyclohexyl.

In one embodiment, R¹ is —C₂₋₆alkyl, which is depicted as formula II:

where R²-R⁶ are as defined for formula I. In another particular embodiment, R¹ is —C₃₋₆alkyl. In another embodiment, R¹ is —C₃₋₈cycloalkyl optionally substituted with 1 or 2 fluoro atoms, which is depicted as formula III:

where R²-R⁶ are as defined for formula I. In yet another embodiment, R¹ is —C₂₋₆alkenyl, which is depicted as formula IV:

where R²-R⁶ are as defined for formula I. In yet another embodiment, R¹ is —C₃₋₆alkynyl, which is depicted as formula V:

where R²-R⁶ are as defined for formula I.

In one particular embodiment, R² and R³ are non-hydrogen moieties, while R⁴, R⁵, and R⁶ are hydrogen, which is depicted as formula VI:

where R¹ is as defined for formula I.

In one particular embodiment, R² and R⁴ are non-hydrogen moieties, while R³, R⁵, and R⁶ are hydrogen, which is depicted as formula VII:

where R¹ is as defined for formula I.

In one particular embodiment, R³ and R⁴ are non-hydrogen moieties, while R², R⁵, and R⁶ are hydrogen, which is depicted as formula VIII:

where R¹ is as defined for formula I.

In one particular embodiment, R², R³, and R⁴ are non-hydrogen moieties, while R⁵ and R⁶ are hydrogen, which is depicted as formula IX:

where R¹ is as defined for formula I.

In one particular embodiment, R², R⁴, and R⁶ are non-hydrogen moieties, while R³ and R⁵ are hydrogen, which is depicted as formula X:

where R¹ is as defined for formula I.

In one embodiment, R² is hydrogen, halo, —C₁₋₆alkyl, —CF₃, —C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, or —NO₂; in another aspect, this embodiment has formulas II-X. In another embodiment, R² is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —CF₃, —O—CH₃, —O—CH₂CH₃, —C(O)—CH₃, —S—CH₃, cyclohexyl, or —NO₂; in another aspect, this embodiment has formulas II-X.

In one embodiment, R³ is hydrogen, halo, —C₁₋₆alkyl, —CF₃, —O—C₁₋₆alkyl, or —S—C₁₋₆alkyl; in another aspect, this embodiment has formulas II-X. In another embodiment, R³ is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, —CH₃, —CF₃, —O—CH₃, or —S—CH₃; in another aspect, this embodiment has formulas II-X.

In one embodiment, R⁴ is hydrogen, halo, —C₁₋₆alkyl, —CF₃, or —O—C₁₋₆alkyl; in another aspect, this embodiment has formulas II-X. In another embodiment, R⁴ is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, —CH₃, —CF₃, or —O—CH₃; in another aspect, this embodiment has formulas II-X.

In one embodiment, R⁵ is hydrogen, halo, —C₁₋₆alkyl, or —O—C₁₋₆alkyl; in another aspect, this embodiment has formulas II-X. In another embodiment, R⁵ is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, —CH₃, or —O—CH₃; in another aspect, this embodiment has formulas II-X.

In one embodiment, R⁶ is hydrogen, halo, or —C₁₋₆alkyl; in another aspect, this embodiment has formulas II-X. In another embodiment, R⁶ is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, or —CH₃; in another aspect, this embodiment has formulas II-X.

In yet another embodiment, R⁴ and R⁵ are taken together to form —CH═CH—CH═CH— or R⁵ and R⁶ are taken together to form —CH—CH═CH—CH—, which is depicted as formula VIa and VIb, respectfully:

where R¹ is as defined for formula I.

In addition, particular compounds of formula I that are of interest include those set forth in the Examples below, as well a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

DEFINITIONS

When describing the compounds, compositions, methods and processes of the invention, the following terms have the following meanings unless otherwise indicated. Additionally, as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include the corresponding plural forms unless the context of use clearly dictates otherwise. The terms “comprising”, “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable” refers to a material that is not biologically or otherwise unacceptable when used in the invention. For example, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” refers to a material that can be incorporated into a composition and administered to a patient without causing unacceptable biological effects or interacting in an unacceptable manner with other components of the composition. Such pharmaceutically acceptable materials typically have met the required standards of toxicological and manufacturing testing, and include those materials identified as suitable inactive ingredients by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” means a salt prepared from a base or an acid which is acceptable for administration to a patient, such as a mammal (e.g., salts having acceptable mammalian safety for a given dosage regime). However, it is understood that the salts covered by the invention are not required to be pharmaceutically acceptable salts, such as salts of intermediate compounds that are not intended for administration to a patient. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be derived from pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic or organic bases and from pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic or organic acids. In addition, when a compound of formula I contains both a basic moiety, such as an amine, and an acidic moiety such as a carboxylic acid, zwitterions may be formed and are included within the term “salt” as used herein. Salts derived from pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic bases include ammonium, calcium, copper, ferric, ferrous, lithium, magnesium, manganic, manganous, potassium, sodium, and zinc salts, and the like. Salts derived from pharmaceutically acceptable organic bases include salts of primary, secondary and tertiary amines, including substituted amines, cyclic amines, naturally-occurring amines and the like, such as arginine, betaine, caffeine, choline, N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine, diethylamine, 2-diethylaminoethanol, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, ethanolamine, ethylenediamine, N-ethylmorpholine, N-ethylpiperidine, glucamine, glucosamine, histidine, hydrabamine, isopropylamine, lysine, methylglucamine, morpholine, piperazine, piperadine, polyamine resins, procaine, purines, theobromine, triethylamine, trimethylamine, tripropylamine, tromethamine and the like. Salts derived from pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic acids include salts of boric, carbonic, hydrohalic (hydrobromic, hydrochloric, hydrofluoric or hydroiodic), nitric, phosphoric, sulfamic and sulfuric acids. Salts derived from pharmaceutically acceptable organic acids include salts of aliphatic hydroxyl acids (e.g., citric, gluconic, glycolic, lactic, lactobionic, malic, and tartaric acids), aliphatic monocarboxylic acids (e.g., acetic, butyric, formic, propionic and trifluoroacetic acids), amino acids (e.g., aspartic and glutamic acids), aromatic carboxylic acids (e.g., benzoic, p-chlorobenzoic, diphenylacetic, gentisic, hippuric, and triphenylacetic acids), aromatic hydroxyl acids (e.g., o-hydroxybenzoic, p-hydroxybenzoic, 1-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic and 3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acids), ascorbic, dicarboxylic acids (e.g., fumaric, maleic, oxalic and succinic acids), glucoronic, mandelic, mucic, nicotinic, orotic, pamoic, pantothenic, sulfonic acids (e.g., benzenesulfonic, camphosulfonic, edisylic, ethanesulfonic, isethionic, methanesulfonic, naphthalenesulfonic, naphthalene-1,5-disulfonic, naphthalene-2,6-disulfonic and p-toluenesulfonic acids), xinafoic acid, and the like. The term “solvate” means a complex or aggregate formed by one or more molecules of a solute, e.g., a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and one or more molecules of a solvent. Such solvates are typically crystalline solids having a substantially fixed molar ratio of solute and solvent. Representative solvents include, by way of example, water, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, acetic acid and the like. When the solvent is water, the solvate formed is a hydrate.

The term “therapeutically effective amount” means an amount sufficient to effect treatment when administered to a patient in need thereof, i.e., the amount of drug needed to obtain the desired therapeutic effect. For example, a therapeutically effective amount for treating neuropathic pain is an amount of compound needed to, for example, reduce, suppress, eliminate or prevent the symptoms of neuropathic pain or to treat the underlying cause of neuropathic pain. On the other hand, the term “effective amount” means an amount sufficient to obtain a desired result, which may not necessary be a therapeutic result. For example, when studying a system comprising a norepinephrine transporter, an “effective amount” may be the amount needed to inhibit norepinephrine reuptake. The term “treating” or “treatment” as used herein means the treating or treatment of a disease or medical condition (such as neuropathic pain) in a patient, such as a mammal (particularly a human), that includes one or more of the following: (a) preventing the disease or medical condition from occurring, i.e., prophylactic treatment of a patient; (b) ameliorating the disease or medical condition, i.e., eliminating or causing regression of the disease or medical condition in a patient; (c) suppressing the disease or medical condition, i.e., slowing or arresting the development of the disease or medical condition in a patient; or (d) alleviating the symptoms of the disease or medical condition in a patient. For example, the term “treating neuropathic pain” would include preventing neuropathic pain from occurring, ameliorating neuropathic pain, suppressing neuropathic pain, and alleviating the symptoms of neuropathic pain. The term “patient” is intended to include those mammals, such as humans, that are in need of treatment or disease prevention, that are presently being treated for disease prevention or treatment of a specific disease or medical condition, as well as test subjects in which compounds of the invention are being evaluated or being used in a assay, for example an animal model.

The term “alkyl” means a monovalent saturated hydrocarbon group which may be linear or branched. Unless otherwise defined, such alkyl groups typically contain from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and include, for example, —C₁₋₂alkyl, —C₁₋₃alkyl, —C₁₋₄alkyl, —C₁₋₆alkyl, and —C₂₋₆alkyl. Representative alkyl groups include, by way of example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl and the like.

The term “alkenyl” means a monovalent unsaturated hydrocarbon group which may be linear or branched and which has at least one, and typically 1, 2 or 3, carbon-carbon double bonds. Unless otherwise defined, such alkenyl groups typically contain from 2 to 10 carbon atoms and include, for example, —C₂₋₄alkenyl, —C₂₋₆alkenyl, and —C₂₋₁₀alkenyl. Representative alkenyl groups include, by way of example, ethenyl, n-propenyl, isopropenyl, n-but-2-enyl, but-3-enyl, n-hex-3-enyl and the like.

The term “alkynyl” means a monovalent unsaturated hydrocarbon group which may be linear or branched and which has at least one, and typically 1, 2 or 3, carbon-carbon triple bonds. Unless otherwise defined, such alkynyl groups typically contain from 2 to 10 carbon atoms and include, for example, —C₂₋₄alkynyl, —C₃₋₆alkynyl and —C₃₋₁₀alkynyl. Representative alkynyl groups include, by way of example, ethynyl, prop-2-ynyl (n-propynyl), n-but-2-ynyl, n-hex-3-ynyl and the like.

The term “cycloalkyl” means a monovalent saturated carbocyclic hydrocarbon group. Unless otherwise defined, such cycloalkyl groups typically contain from 3 to 10 carbon atoms and include, for example, —C₃₋₅cycloalkyl, —C₃₋₆cycloalkyl and —C₃₋₈cycloalkyl. Representative cycloalkyl groups include, by way of example, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and the like.

When a specific number of carbon atoms is intended for a particular term used herein, the number of carbon atoms is shown preceding the term as subscript. For example, the term “—C₁₋₆alkyl” means an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and the term “—C₃₋₈cycloalkyl” means a cycloalkyl group having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, where the carbon atoms are in any acceptable configuration.

The term “halo” means fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo.

All other terms used herein are intended to have their ordinary meaning as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which they pertain.

General Synthetic Procedures

Compounds of the invention can be prepared from readily available starting materials using the following general methods, the procedures set forth in the Examples, or by using other methods, reagents, and starting materials that are known to those skilled in the art. Although the following procedures may illustrate a particular embodiment of the invention, it is understood that other embodiments of the invention can be similarly prepared using the same or similar methods or by using other methods, reagents and starting materials known to those of ordinary skill in the art. It will also be appreciated that where typical or preferred process conditions (i.e., reaction temperatures, times, mole ratios of reactants, solvents, pressures, etc.) are given, other process conditions can also be used unless otherwise stated. While optimum reaction conditions will typically vary depending on various reaction parameters such as the particular reactants, solvents and quantities used, those of ordinary skill in the art can readily determine suitable reaction conditions using routine optimization procedures.

Additionally, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, conventional protecting groups may be necessary or desired to prevent certain functional groups from undergoing undesired reactions. The choice of a suitable protecting group for a particular functional group as well as suitable conditions and reagents for protection and deprotection of such functional groups are well-known in the art. Protecting groups other than those illustrated in the procedures described herein may be used, if desired. For example, numerous protecting groups, and their introduction and removal, are described in Greene and Wuts, Protecting Groups in Organic Synthesis, Third Edition, Wiley, New York, 1999, and references cited therein.

More particularly, in the schemes below, P represents an “amino-protecting group,” a term used herein to mean a protecting group suitable for preventing undesired reactions at an amino group. Representative amino-protecting groups include, but are not limited to, t-butoxycarbonyl (BOC), trityl (Tr), benzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz), 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc), formyl, and the like. Standard deprotection techniques and reagents such as TFA in DCM or HCl in 1,4-dioxane, methanol, or ethanol, are used to remove protecting groups, when present. For example, a BOC group can be removed using an acidic reagent such as hydrochloric acid, trifluoroacetic acid and the like; while a Cbz group can be removed by employing catalytic hydrogenation conditions such as H₂ (1 atm), 10% Pd/C in an alcoholic solvent.

Suitable inert diluents or solvents for use in these schemes include, by way of illustration and not limitation, tetrahydrofuran (THF), acetonitrile, N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), toluene, dichloromethane (DCM), chloroform (CHCl₃), and the like.

All reactions are typically conducted at a temperature within the range of about −78° C. to 110° C., for example at room temperature. Reactions may be monitored by use of thin layer chromatography (TLC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and/or LCMS until completion. Reactions may be complete in minutes, may take hours, typically from 1-2 hours and up to 48 hours, or days, such as up to 3-4 days. Upon completion, the resulting mixture or reaction product may be further treated in order to obtain the desired product. For example, the resulting mixture or reaction product may be subjected to one or more of the following procedures: dilution (for example with saturated NaHCO₃); extraction (for example, with ethyl acetate, CHCl₃, DCM, aqueous HCl); washing (for example, with DCM, saturated aqueous NaCl, or saturated aqueous NaHCO₃); drying (for example, over MgSO₄ or Na₂SO₄, or in vacuo); filtration; being concentrated (for example, in vacuo); being redissolved (for example in a 1:1 acetic acid:H₂O solution); and/or purification (for example by preparative HPLC, reverse phase preparative HPLC, or crystallization).

By way of illustration, compounds of formula I, as well as their salts, can be prepared by one or more of the following schemes, as well as the procedures set forth in the examples. The * chiral center shown in the schemes is known to be S or R, and is depicted accordingly. However, the ** chiral center is not known unambiguously and was designated R or S based upon the first elution peak by reverse phase HPLC from the mixture of diastereomeric intermediates (the protected alcohols). Assignment of the stereochemistry of such chiral secondary alcohols can be accomplished utilizing the established Mosher ester analysis (see, for example, Dale and Mosher (1969) J. Org. Chem. 34(9):2543-2549). For compounds, where the * chiral center was known to be S, then the first eluting peak was designated S at the ** chiral center and the second eluting peak was designated R at the ** chiral center. For compounds, where the * chiral center was known to be R, then the first eluting peak was designated R at the ** chiral center and the second eluting peak was designated S at the ** chiral center. Furthermore, while the schemes illustrates formation of one particular stereoisomer, the other stereoisomers can be made in a similar manner by using a starting material having different stereochemistry.

Compounds of formula I can be prepared by reacting the appropriate alcohol starting material and the desired optionally substituted fluorobenzene using a nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction (S_(N)Ar). This reaction is typically conducted using sodium hydride (NaH) in a solvent such as DMF. Deprotection then yields the desired compound of formula I.

Compounds of formula I can also be prepared using the Mitsunobu coupling reaction (Mitsunobu and Yamada (1967) M. Bull. Chem. Soc. JPN. 40:2380-2382) of the alcohol starting material and optionally substituted phenol. This reaction is typically conducted using standard Mitsunobu coupling conditions, using a redox system containing an azodicarboxylate such as diethyl azodicarboxylate or diisopropyl azodicarboxylate and a phosphine catalyst such as triphenylphosphine. Deprotection then yields the desired compound of formula I.

Compounds of formula I can also be prepared by coupling a racemic mixture of the appropriate alcohol starting material to an optionally substituted iodobenzene under Ullmann reaction conditions to provide a racemic mixture of compounds of formula I. The Ullmann reaction is typically conducted in the presence of a copper(I) iodide/1,10-phenanthroline catalyst and a base such as cesium carbonate, in an appropriate solvent such as toluene or DMF. Chiral separation, followed by deprotection then yields the desired stereoisomer of formula I. Alternately, the racemic product can first be deprotected, then separated by normal phase chiral HPLC.

The alcohol starting materials can be prepared by the 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy, free radical (TEMPO) mediated oxidation of (S)-3-hydroxymethylpyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester to yield (S)-3-formylpyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester.

This method is particularly useful by minimizing the amount of racemization that can occur during oxidation. 3-Hydroxymethylpyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester, where P is Boc or benzyl, is commercially available. Alternately, (S)-3-hydroxymethylpyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester can be oxidized using any oxidizing agent suitable for converting a primary alcohol into an aldehyde. Representative oxidizing agents include, for example, dimethyl sulfoxide, Collin's reagent, Corey's reagent, pyridinium dichromate and the like. The next step involves a Grignard reaction between the formyl compound and the Grignard reagent, R¹—MgX, where X is chloro or bromo, for example. The step is typically conducted using standard Grignard reaction conditions. Exemplary Grignard reagents include propylmagnesium chloride (R¹ is propyl), cyclopropylmagnesium bromide (R¹ is cyclopropyl), ethynylmagnesium bromide (R¹ is —C₃₋₆alkynyl), and the like. The (R,R) and (R,S) alcohol starting materials can be prepared in a similar manner using (R)-Boc-3-pyrrolidinemethanol, also known as (R)-3-hydroxymethylpyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester.

If desired, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of formula I can be prepared by contacting the free acid or base form of a compound of formula I with a pharmaceutically acceptable base or acid.

Certain of the intermediates described herein are believed to be novel and accordingly, such compounds are provided as further aspects of the invention including, for example, compounds of formula VII:

or a salt thereof, where P represents an amino-protecting group, particularly t-butoxycarbonyl (BOC) where R¹ and R²⁻⁶ are as defined for formula I. In one embodiment of the invention, compounds of the invention can be prepared by deprotecting compounds of formula V to provide compounds of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Further details regarding specific reaction conditions and other procedures for preparing representative compounds of the invention or intermediates thereof are described in the Examples set forth herein.

Utility

Compounds of the invention possess serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitory activity. Thus, these compounds have therapeutic utility as combined serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). In one embodiment, compounds of the invention possess equal or approximately equal serotonin reuptake inhibitory activity and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitory activity.

The inhibition constant (K_(i)) of a compound is the concentration of ligand in a radioligand binding inhibition assay that would occupy 50% of the transporters if no radioligand were present. K_(i) values can be determined from radioligand binding studies with ³H-nisoxetine (for the norepinephrine transporter, NET) and ³H-citalopram (for the serotonin transporter, SERT), as described in Assay 1. These K_(i) values are derived from IC₅₀ values in the binding assay using the Cheng-Prusoff equation and the K_(i) of the radioligand (Cheng & Prusoff (1973) Biochem. Pharmacol. 22(23):3099-3108). Functional IC₅₀ values can be determined in the functional inhibition of uptake assays described in Assay 2. These IC₅₀ values can be converted to K_(i) values using the Cheng-Prusoff equation and the K_(m) of the transmitter for the transporter. It is noted however, that the uptake assay conditions described in Assay 2 are such that the IC₅₀ values are very close to the K_(i) values, should a mathematical conversion be desired, since the neurotransmitter concentration (5-HT, NE, or DA) used in the assay is well below its K_(m) for the respective transporter. In one embodiment, compounds of the invention exhibit a SERT K_(i)/NET K_(i) in the range of 0.1 to 100; in another embodiment, a SERT K_(i)/NET K_(i) in the range of 0.3 to 100; and in still another embodiment, exhibit a SERT K_(i)/NET K_(i) in the range of 0.3 to 10.

Another measure of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition is the pIC₅₀ value. In one embodiment, compounds of the invention have serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition pIC₅₀ values ≧7; in another embodiment, compounds of the invention have a serotonin reuptake inhibition pIC₅₀≧7 and a norepinephrine reuptake inhibition pIC₅₀≧8; in yet another embodiment, compounds of the invention have a serotonin reuptake inhibition pIC₅₀≧8 and a norepinephrine reuptake inhibition pIC₅₀≧7; and in another embodiment, compounds of the invention have serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition pIC₅₀ values ≧8. In one particular embodiment, such compounds have formula II-IV.

In another embodiment, compounds of the invention are selective for inhibition of SERT and NET over the dopamine transporter (DAT). For example in this embodiment, compounds of particular interest are those that exhibit a binding affinity for SERT and NET that is at least 5 times higher than the binding affinity for DAT, or that is at least 10 times higher than for DAT, or at least 20 or 30 times higher than for DAT. In another embodiment, the compounds do not exhibit significant DAT inhibition. In still another embodiment, the compounds exhibit less than 50% inhibition of DAT activity when measured at a concentration of 794 nM. Under the assay conditions used, a compound which exhibits −50% inhibition would have an estimated pK_(i) value at DAT of ≦6.1.

In still another embodiment, compounds of the invention possess dopamine reuptake inhibitory activity as well as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitory activity. For example in this embodiment, compounds of particular interest are those that exhibit a pIC₅₀ at SERT and NET greater than or equal to 8.0, and a pIC₅₀ at DAT greater than or equal to 7.0.

It is noted that in some cases, compounds of the invention may possess either weak serotonin reuptake inhibitory activity or weak norepinephrine reuptake inhibitory activity. In these cases, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that such compounds still have utility as primarily either a NET inhibitor or a SERT inhibitor, respectively, or will have utility as research tools.

Exemplary assays to determine the serotonin and/or norepinephrine reuptake inhibiting activity of compounds of the invention include by way of illustration and not limitation, assays that measure SERT and NET binding, for example, as described in Assay 1 and in Tsuruda et al. (2010) Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods 61(2):192-204. In addition, it is useful to understand the level of DAT binding and uptake in an assay such as that described in Assay 1. Useful secondary assays include neurotransmitter uptake assays to measure inhibition of serotonin and norepinephrine uptake into cells expressing the respective human or rat recombinant transporter (hSERT, hNET, or hDAT) as described in Assay 2, and ex vivo radioligand binding and neurotransmitter uptake assays that are used to determine the in vivo occupancy of SERT, NET and DAT in tissue as described in Assay 3. Other assays that are useful to evaluate pharmacological properties of test compounds include those listed in Assay 4. Exemplary in vivo assays include the formalin paw test described in Assay 5, which is a reliable predictor of clinical efficacy for the treatment of neuropathic pain, and the spinal nerve ligation model described in Assay 6. The aforementioned assays are useful in determining the therapeutic utility, for example, the neuropathic pain relieving activity, of compounds of the invention. Other properties and utilities of compounds of the invention can be demonstrated using various in vitro and in vivo assays well-known to those skilled in the art.

Compounds of the invention are expected to be useful for the treatment and/or prevention of medical conditions in which the regulation of monoamine transporter function is implicated, in particular those conditions mediated by or responsive to the inhibition of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. Thus it is expected that patients suffering from a disease or disorder that is treated by the inhibition of the serotonin and/or the norepinephrine transporter can be treated by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor of the invention. Such medical conditions include, by way of example, pain disorders such as neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain, depressive disorders such as major depression, affective disorders such as an anxiety disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, cognitive disorders such as dementia, and stress urinary incontinence.

The amount of active agent administered per dose or the total amount administered per day may be predetermined or it may be determined on an individual patient basis by taking into consideration numerous factors, including the nature and severity of the patient's condition, the condition being treated, the age, weight, and general health of the patient, the tolerance of the patient to the active agent, the route of administration, pharmacological considerations such as the activity, efficacy, pharmacokinetics and toxicology profiles of the active agent and any secondary agents being administered, and the like. Treatment of a patient suffering from a disease or medical condition (such as neuropathic pain) can begin with a predetermined dosage or a dosage determined by the treating physician, and will continue for a period of time necessary to prevent, ameliorate, suppress, or alleviate the symptoms of the disease or medical condition. Patients undergoing such treatment will typically be monitored on a routine basis to determine the effectiveness of therapy. For example, in treating neuropathic pain, a measure of the effectiveness of treatment may involve assessment of the patient's quality of life, e.g., improvements in the patient's sleeping patterns, work attendance, ability to exercise and be ambulatory, etc. Pain scales, operating on a point basis, may also be used to help evaluate a patient's pain level. Indicators for the other diseases and conditions described herein, are well-known to those skilled in the art, and are readily available to the treating physician. Continuous monitoring by the physician will ensure that the optimal amount of active agent will be administered at any given time, as well as facilitating the determination of the duration of treatment. This is of particular value when secondary agents are also being administered, as their selection, dosage, and duration of therapy may also require adjustment. In this way, the treatment regimen and dosing schedule can be adjusted over the course of therapy so that the lowest amount of active agent that exhibits the desired effectiveness is administered and, further, that administration is continued only so long as is necessary to successfully treat the disease or medical condition.

Pain Disorders

SNRIs have been shown to have a beneficial effect on pain such as painful diabetic neuropathy (duloxetine, Goldstein et al. (2005) Pain 116:109-118; venlafaxine, Rowbotham et al. (2004) Pain 110:697-706), fibromyalgia (duloxetine, Russell et al. (2008) Pain 136(3):432-444; milnacipran, Vitton et al. (2004) Human Psychopharmacology 19:S27-S35), and migraine (venlafaxine, Ozyalcin et al. (2005) Headache 45(2):144-152). Thus, one embodiment of the invention relates to a method for treating a pain disorder, comprising administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention. Typically, the therapeutically effective amount will be the amount that is sufficient to relieve the pain. Exemplary pain disorders include, by way of illustration, acute pain, persistent pain, chronic pain, inflammatory pain, and neuropathic pain. More specifically, these include pain associated with or caused by: arthritis; back pain including chronic low back pain; cancer, including tumor related pain (e.g., bone pain, headache, facial pain or visceral pain) and pain associated with cancer therapy (e.g., post-chemotherapy syndrome, chronic post-surgical pain syndrome and post-radiation syndrome); carpal tunnel syndrome; fibromyalgia; headaches including chronic tension headaches; inflammation associated with polymyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis; migraine; neuropathic pain including complex regional pain syndrome; overall pain; post-operative pain; shoulder pain; central pain syndromes, including post-stroke pain, and pain associated with spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis; phantom limb pain; pain associated with Parkinson's disease; and visceral pain (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome). Of particular interest is the treatment of neuropathic pain, which includes diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), HIV-related neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. When used to treat pain disorders such as neuropathic pain, compounds of the invention may be administered in combination with other therapeutic agents, including anticonvulsants, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, NSAIDs, opioid agonists, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, sodium channel blockers, and sympatholytics. Exemplary compounds within these classes are described herein.

Depressive Disorders

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a method of treating a depressive disorder, comprising administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention. Typically, the therapeutically effective amount will be the amount that is sufficient to alleviate depression and provide a sense of general well-being. Exemplary depressive disorders include, by way of illustration and not limitation: depression associated with Alzheimer's disease, bipolar disorder, cancer, child abuse, infertility, Parkinson's disease, postmyocardial infarction, and psychosis; dysthymia; grumpy or irritable old man syndrome; induced depression; major depression; pediatric depression; postmenopausal depression; post partum depression; recurrent depression; single episode depression; and subsyndromal symptomatic depression. Of particular interest is the treatment of major depression. When used to treat depressive disorders, compounds of the invention may be administered in combination with other therapeutic agents, including antidepressants and dual serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Exemplary compounds within these classes are described herein.

Affective Disorders

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a method of treating an affective disorder, comprising administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention. Exemplary affective disorders include, by way of illustration and not limitation: anxiety disorders such as general anxiety disorder; avoidant personality disorder; eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and obesity; obsessive compulsive disorder; panic disorder; personality disorders such as avoidant personality disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); post-traumatic stress syndrome; phobias such as agoraphobia, as well as simple and other specific phobias, and social phobia; premenstrual syndrome; psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia and mania; seasonal affective disorder; sexual dysfunction, including premature ejaculation, male impotence, and female sexual dysfunction such as female sexual arousal disorder; social anxiety disorder; and substance abuse disorders, including chemical dependencies such as addictions to alcohol, benzodiazepines, cocaine, heroin, nicotine and phenobarbital, as well as withdrawal syndromes that may arise from these dependencies. When used to treat affective disorders, compounds of the invention may be administered in combination with other therapeutic agents, including antidepressants. Exemplary compounds within these classes are described herein.

Atomoxetine, which is 10-fold NET selective, is approved for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) therapy, and clinical studies have shown that the SNRI, venlafaxine, can also have a beneficial effect in treating ADHD (Mukaddes et al. (2002) Eur. Neuropsychopharm. 12(Supp 3):421). Thus, the compounds of the invention are also expected to be useful in methods for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder by administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention. When used to treat depression, compounds of the invention may be administered in combination with other therapeutic agents, including antidepressants. Exemplary compounds within these classes are described herein.

Cognitive Disorders

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a method of treating a cognitive disorder, comprising administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention. Exemplary cognitive disorders include, by way of illustration and not limitation: dementia, which includes degenerative dementia (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Huntingdon's chorea, Parkinson's disease, Pick's disease, and senile dementia), vascular dementia (e.g., multi-infarct dementia), and dementia associated with intracranial space occupying lesions, trauma, infections and related conditions (including HIV infection), metabolism, toxins, anoxia and vitamin deficiency; and mild cognitive impairment associated with ageing, such as age associated memory impairment, amnesiac disorder and age-related cognitive decline. When used to treat cognitive disorders, compounds of the invention may be administered in combination with other therapeutic agents, including anti-Alzheimer's agents and anti-Parkinson's agents. Exemplary compounds within these classes are described herein.

Other Disorders

SNRIs have also been shown to be effective for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (Dmochowski (2003) Journal of Urology 170(4): 1259-1263). Thus, another embodiment of the invention relates to a method for treating stress urinary incontinence, comprising administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention. When used to treat stress urinary incontinence, compounds of the invention may be administered in combination with other therapeutic agents, including anticonvulsants. Exemplary compounds within these classes are described herein.

Duloxetine, an SNRI, is undergoing clinical trials for evaluating its efficacy in treating chronic fatigue syndrome, and has recently been shown to be effective in treating fibromyalgia (Russell et al. (2008) Pain 136(3):432-444). The compounds of the invention, due to their ability to inhibit SERT and NET, are also expected to have this utility, and another embodiment of the invention relates to a method for treating chronic fatigue syndrome, comprising administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention.

Sibutramine, a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor, has been shown to be useful in treating obesity (Wirth et al. (2001) JAMA 286(11):1331-1339). The compounds of the invention, due to their ability to inhibit NET, are also expected to have this utility, and another embodiment of the invention relates to a method for treating obesity, comprising administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention.

Desvenlafaxine, an SNRI, has been shown to relieve vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause (Deecher et al. (2007) Endocrinology 148(3):1376-1383). The compounds of the invention, due to their ability to inhibit SERT and NET, are also expected to have this utility, and another embodiment of the invention relates to a method for treating vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause, comprising administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention.

Research Tools

Since compounds of the invention possess both serotonin reuptake inhibition activity and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition activity, such compounds are also useful as research tools for investigating or studying biological systems or samples having serotonin or norepinephrine transporters. Any suitable biological system or sample having serotonin and/or norepinephrine transporters may be employed in such studies which may be conducted either in vitro or in vivo. Representative biological systems or samples suitable for such studies include, but are not limited to, cells, cellular extracts, plasma membranes, tissue samples, isolated organs, mammals (such as mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs, pigs, humans, and so forth), and the like, with mammals being of particular interest. In one particular embodiment of the invention, serotonin reuptake in a mammal is inhibited by administering a serotonin reuptake-inhibiting amount of a compound of the invention. In another particular embodiment, norepinephrine reuptake in a mammal is inhibited by administering a norepinephrine reuptake-inhibiting amount of a compound of the invention. Compounds of the invention can also be used as research tools by conducting biological assays using such compounds.

When used as a research tool, a biological system or sample comprising a serotonin transporter and/or a norepinephrine transporter is typically contacted with a serotonin reuptake-inhibiting or norepinephrine reuptake-inhibiting amount of a compound of the invention. After the biological system or sample is exposed to the compound, the effects of inhibiting serotonin reuptake and/or norepinephrine reuptake are determined using conventional procedures and equipment. Exposure encompasses contacting cells or tissue with the compound, administering the compound to a mammal, for example by i.p. or i.v. administration, and so forth. This determining step may comprise measuring a response, i.e., a quantitative analysis or may comprise an observation, i.e., a qualitative analysis. Measuring a response involves, for example, determining the effects of the compound on the biological system or sample using conventional procedures and equipment, such as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake assays. The assay results can be used to determine the activity level as well as the amount of compound necessary to achieve the desired result, i.e., a serotonin reuptake-inhibiting and a norepinephrine reuptake-inhibiting amount.

Additionally, compounds of the invention can be used as research tools for evaluating other chemical compounds, and thus are also useful in screening assays to discover, for example, new compounds having both serotonin reuptake-inhibiting activity and norepinephrine reuptake-inhibiting activity. In this manner, a compound of the invention is used as a standard in an assay to allow comparison of the results obtained with a test compound and with compounds of the invention to identify those test compounds that have about equal or superior reuptake-inhibiting activity, if any. For example, reuptake data for a test compound or a group of test compounds is compared to the reuptake data for a compound of the invention to identify those test compounds that have the desired properties, e.g., test compounds having reuptake-inhibiting activity about equal or superior to a compound of the invention, if any. This aspect of the invention includes, as separate embodiments, both the generation of comparison data (using the appropriate assays) and the analysis of the test data to identify test compounds of interest. Thus, a test compound can be evaluated in a biological assay, by a method comprising the steps of: (a) conducting a biological assay with a test compound to provide a first assay value; (b) conducting the biological assay with a compound of the invention to provide a second assay value; wherein step (a) is conducted either before, after or concurrently with step (b); and (c) comparing the first assay value from step (a) with the second assay value from step (b). Exemplary biological assays include serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake assays.

Pharmaceutical Compositions and Formulations

Compounds of the invention are typically administered to a patient in the form of a pharmaceutical composition or formulation. Such pharmaceutical compositions may be administered to the patient by any acceptable route of administration including, but not limited to, oral, rectal, vaginal, nasal, inhaled, topical (including transdermal) and parenteral modes of administration. Further, the compounds of the invention may be administered, for example orally, in multiple doses per day (e.g., twice, three times or four times daily), in a single daily dose, in a twice-daily dose, in a single weekly dose, and so forth. It will be understood that any form of the compounds of the invention, (i.e., free base, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, etc.) that is suitable for the particular mode of administration can be used in the pharmaceutical compositions discussed herein.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a compound of the invention. The compositions may contain other therapeutic and/or formulating agents if desired. When discussing compositions, the “compound of the invention” may also be referred to herein as the “active agent,” to distinguish it from other components of the formulation, such as the carrier. Thus, it is understood that the term “active agent” includes compounds of formula I as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates of that compound.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention typically contain a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, however, that a pharmaceutical composition may contain more than a therapeutically effective amount, i.e., bulk compositions, or less than a therapeutically effective amount, i.e., individual unit doses designed for multiple administration to achieve a therapeutically effective amount. Typically, the composition will contain from about 0.01-95 wt % of active agent, including, from about 0.01-30 wt %, such as from about 0.01-10 wt %, with the actual amount depending upon the formulation itself, the route of administration, the frequency of dosing, and so forth. In one embodiment, a composition suitable for an oral dosage form, for example, may contain about 5-70 wt %, or from about 10-60 wt % of active agent.

Any conventional carrier or excipient may be used in the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention. The choice of a particular carrier or excipient, or combinations of carriers or excipients, will depend on the mode of administration being used to treat a particular patient or type of medical condition or disease state. In this regard, the preparation of a suitable composition for a particular mode of administration is well within the scope of those skilled in the pharmaceutical arts. Additionally, carriers or excipients used in such compositions are commercially available. By way of further illustration, conventional formulation techniques are described in Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 20^(th) Edition, Lippincott Williams & White, Baltimore, Md. (2000); and H. C. Ansel et al., Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery Systems, 7^(th) Edition, Lippincott Williams & White, Baltimore, Md. (1999).

Representative examples of materials which can serve as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include, but are not limited to, the following: sugars, such as lactose, glucose and sucrose; starches, such as corn starch and potato starch; cellulose, such as microcrystalline cellulose, and its derivatives, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and cellulose acetate; powdered tragacanth; malt; gelatin; talc; excipients, such as cocoa butter and suppository waxes; oils, such as peanut oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil and soybean oil; glycols, such as propylene glycol; polyols, such as glycerin, sorbitol, mannitol and polyethylene glycol; esters, such as ethyl oleate and ethyl laurate; agar; buffering agents, such as magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide; alginic acid; pyrogen-free water; isotonic saline; Ringer's solution; ethyl alcohol; phosphate buffer solutions; compressed propellant gases, such as chlorofluorocarbons and hydrofluorocarbons; and other non-toxic compatible substances employed in pharmaceutical compositions.

Pharmaceutical compositions are typically prepared by thoroughly and intimately mixing or blending the active agent with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and one or more optional ingredients. The resulting uniformly blended mixture may then be shaped or loaded into tablets, capsules, pills, canisters, cartridges, dispensers, and the like, using conventional procedures and equipment.

In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions are suitable for oral administration. One exemplary dosing regimen would be an oral dosage form administered once or twice daily. Suitable compositions for oral administration may be in the form of capsules, tablets, pills, lozenges, cachets, dragees, powders, granules; solutions or suspensions in an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid; oil-in-water or water-in-oil liquid emulsions; elixirs or syrups; and the like; each containing a predetermined amount of the active agent.

When intended for oral administration in a solid dosage form (i.e., as capsules, tablets, pills, and the like), the composition will typically comprise the active agent and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, such as sodium citrate or dicalcium phosphate. Solid dosage forms may also comprise: fillers or extenders, such as starches, microcrystalline cellulose, lactose, sucrose, glucose, mannitol, and/or silicic acid; binders, such as carboxymethylcellulose, alginates, gelatin, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, sucrose and/or acacia; humectants, such as glycerol; disintegrating agents, such as agar-agar, calcium carbonate, potato or tapioca starch, alginic acid, certain silicates, and/or sodium carbonate; solution retarding agents, such as paraffin; absorption accelerators, such as quaternary ammonium compounds; wetting agents, such as cetyl alcohol and/or glycerol monostearate; absorbents, such as kaolin and/or bentonite clay; lubricants, such as talc, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, solid polyethylene glycols, sodium lauryl sulfate, and/or mixtures thereof; coloring agents; and buffering agents.

Release agents, wetting agents, coating agents, sweetening, flavoring and perfuming agents, preservatives and antioxidants may also be present in the pharmaceutical compositions. Exemplary coating agents for tablets, capsules, pills and like, include those used for enteric coatings, such as cellulose acetate phthalate, polyvinyl acetate phthalate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate, methacrylic acid-methacrylic acid ester copolymers, cellulose acetate trimellitate, carboxymethyl ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose acetate succinate, and the like. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable antioxidants include: water-soluble antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid, cysteine hydrochloride, sodium bisulfate, sodium metabisulfate, sodium sulfite and the like; oil-soluble antioxidants, such as ascorbyl palmitate, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, lecithin, propyl gallate, alpha-tocopherol, and the like; and metal-chelating agents, such as citric acid, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, sorbitol, tartaric acid, phosphoric acid, and the like.

Compositions may also be formulated to provide slow or controlled release of the active agent using, by way of example, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose in varying proportions or other polymer matrices, liposomes and/or microspheres. In addition, the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may contain opacifying agents and may be formulated so that they release the active agent only, or preferentially, in a certain portion of the gastrointestinal tract, optionally, in a delayed manner. Examples of embedding compositions which can be used include polymeric substances and waxes. The active agent can also be in micro-encapsulated form, if appropriate, with one or more of the above-described excipients.

Suitable liquid dosage forms for oral administration include, by way of illustration, pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions, microemulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups and elixirs. Liquid dosage forms typically comprise the active agent and an inert diluent, such as, for example, water or other solvents, solubilizing agents and emulsifiers, such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl carbonate, ethyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, oils (e.g., cottonseed, groundnut, corn, germ, olive, castor and sesame oils), glycerol, tetrahydrofuryl alcohol, polyethylene glycols and fatty acid esters of sorbitan, and mixtures thereof. Suspensions may contain suspending agents such as, for example, ethoxylated isostearyl alcohols, polyoxyethylene sorbitol and sorbitan esters, microcrystalline cellulose, aluminium metahydroxide, bentonite, agar-agar and tragacanth, and mixtures thereof.

When intended for oral administration, the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may be packaged in a unit dosage form. The term “unit dosage form” refers to a physically discrete unit suitable for dosing a patient, i.e., each unit containing a predetermined quantity of the active agent calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect either alone or in combination with one or more additional units. For example, such unit dosage forms may be capsules, tablets, pills, and the like.

In another embodiment, the compositions of the invention are suitable for inhaled administration, and will typically be in the form of an aerosol or a powder. Such compositions are generally administered using well-known delivery devices, such as a nebulizer, dry powder, or metered-dose inhaler. Nebulizer devices produce a stream of high velocity air that causes the composition to spray as a mist that is carried into a patient's respiratory tract. An exemplary nebulizer formulation comprises the active agent dissolved in a carrier to form a solution, or micronized and combined with a carrier to form a suspension of micronized particles of respirable size. Dry powder inhalers administer the active agent as a free-flowing powder that is dispersed in a patient's air-stream during inspiration. An exemplary dry powder formulation comprises the active agent dry-blended with an excipient such as lactose, starch, mannitol, dextrose, polylactic acid, polylactide-co-glycolide, and combinations thereof. Metered-dose inhalers discharge a measured amount of the active agent using compressed propellant gas. An exemplary metered-dose formulation comprises a solution or suspension of the active agent in a liquefied propellant, such as a chlorofluorocarbon or hydrofluoroalkane. Optional components of such formulations include co-solvents, such as ethanol or pentane, and surfactants, such as sorbitan trioleate, oleic acid, lecithin, and glycerin. Such compositions are typically prepared by adding chilled or pressurized hydrofluoroalkane to a suitable container containing the active agent, ethanol (if present) and the surfactant (if present). To prepare a suspension, the active agent is micronized and then combined with the propellant. Alternatively, a suspension formulation can be prepared by spray drying a coating of surfactant on micronized particles of the active agent. The formulation is then loaded into an aerosol canister, which forms a portion of the inhaler.

Compounds of the invention can also be administered parenterally (e.g., by subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, or intraperitoneal injection). For such administration, the active agent is provided in a sterile solution, suspension, or emulsion. Exemplary solvents for preparing such formulations include water, saline, low molecular weight alcohols such as propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, oils, gelatin, fatty acid esters such as ethyl oleate, and the like. A typical parenteral formulation is a sterile pH 4-7 aqueous solution of the active agent. Parenteral formulations may also contain one or more solubilizers, stabilizers, preservatives, wetting agents, emulsifiers, and dispersing agents. These formulations may be rendered sterile by use of a sterile injectable medium, a sterilizing agent, filtration, irradiation, or heat.

Compounds of the invention can also be administered transdermally using known transdermal delivery systems and excipients. For example, the compound can be admixed with permeation enhancers, such as propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol monolaurate, azacycloalkan-2-ones and the like, and incorporated into a patch or similar delivery system. Additional excipients including gelling agents, emulsifiers and buffers, may be used in such transdermal compositions if desired.

If desired, compounds of the invention may be administered in combination with one or more other therapeutic agents. Thus, in one embodiment, compositions of the invention may optionally contain other drugs that are co-administered with a compound of the invention. For example, the composition may further comprise one or more drugs (also referred to as “secondary agents(s)”) selected from the group of anti-Alzheimer's agents, anticonvulsants (antiepileptics), antidepressants, anti-Parkinson's agents, dual serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, opioid agonists (opioid analgesics), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, sodium channel blockers, sympatholytics, and combinations thereof. Numerous examples of such therapeutic agents are well known in the art, and examples are described herein. By combining a compound of the invention with a secondary agent, triple therapy can be achieved, i.e., serotonin reuptake inhibitory activity, norepinephrine reuptake inhibitory activity, and activity associated with the secondary agent (e.g., antidepressant activity), using only two active components. Since pharmaceutical compositions containing two active components are typically easier to formulate than compositions containing three active components, such two-component compositions provide a significant advantage over compositions containing three active components. Accordingly, in yet another aspect of the invention, a pharmaceutical composition comprises a compound of the invention, a second active agent, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Third, fourth etc. active agents may also be included in the composition. In combination therapy, the amount of compound of the invention that is administered, as well as the amount of secondary agents, may be less than the amount typically administered in monotherapy.

A compound of the invention may be either physically mixed with the second active agent to form a composition containing both agents; or each agent may be present in separate and distinct compositions which are administered to the patient simultaneously or sequentially. For example, a compound of the invention can be combined with a second active agent using conventional procedures and equipment to form a combination of active agents comprising a compound of the invention and a second active agent. Additionally, the active agents may be combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to form a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the invention, a second active agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In this embodiment, the components of the composition are typically mixed or blended to create a physical mixture. The physical mixture is then administered in a therapeutically effective amount using any of the routes described herein.

Alternatively, the active agents may remain separate and distinct before administration to the patient. In this embodiment, the agents are not physically mixed together before administration but are administered simultaneously or at separate times as separate compositions. Such compositions can be packaged separately or may be packaged together in a kit. When administered at separate times, the secondary agent will typically be administered less than 24 hours after administration of the compound of the invention, ranging anywhere from concurrent with administration of the compound of the invention to about 24 hours post-dose. This is also referred to as sequential administration. Thus, a compound of the invention can be orally administered simultaneously or sequentially with another active agent using two tablets, with one tablet for each active agent, where sequential may mean being administered immediately after administration of the compound of the invention or at some predetermined time later (e.g., one hour later or three hours later). Alternatively, the combination may be administered by different routes of administration, i.e., one orally and the other by inhalation.

In one embodiment, the kit comprises a first dosage form comprising a compound of the invention and at least one additional dosage form comprising one or more of the secondary agents set forth herein, in quantities sufficient to carry out the methods of the invention. The first dosage form and the second (or third, etc,) dosage form together comprise a therapeutically effective amount of active agents for the treatment or prevention of a disease or medical condition in a patient.

Secondary agent(s), when included, are present in a therapeutically effective amount. i.e., are typically administered in an amount that produces a therapeutically beneficial effect when co-administered with a compound of the invention. The secondary agent can be in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, optically pure stereoisomer, and so forth. Thus, secondary agents listed below are intended to include all such forms, and are commercially available or can be prepared using conventional procedures and reagents.

Representative anti-Alzheimer's agents include, but are not limited to: donepezil, galantamine, memantine, rivastigmine, selegiline, tacrine, and combinations thereof.

Representative anticonvulsants (antiepileptics) include, but are not limited to: acetazolamide, albutoin, 4-amino-3-hydroxybutyric acid, beclamide, carbamazepine, cinromide, clomethiazole, clonazepam, diazepam, dimethadione, eterobarb, ethadione, ethosuximide, ethotoin, felbamate, fosphenyloin, gabapentin, lacosamide, lamotrigine, lorazepam, magnesium bromide, magnesium sulfate, mephenyloin, mephobarbital, methsuximide, midazolam, nitrazepam, oxazepam, oxcarbazepine, paramethadione, phenacemide, pheneturide, phenobarbital, phensuximide, phenyloin, potassium bromide, pregabalin, primidone, progabide, sodium bromide, sodium valproate, sulthiame, tiagabine, topiramate, trimethadione, valproic acid, valpromide, vigabatrin, zonisamide, and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the anticonvulsant is selected from carbamazepine, gabapentin, pregabalin, and combinations thereof.

Representative antidepressants include, but are not limited to: adinazolam, amitriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, dothiepin (e.g., dothiepin hydrochloride), doxepin, imipramine, lofepramine, mirtazapine, nortriptyline, protriptyline, trimipramine, venlafaxine, zimelidine, and combinations thereof.

Representative anti-Parkinson's agents include, but are not limited to: amantadine, apomorphine, benztropine, bromocriptine, carbidopa, diphenhydramine, entacapone, levodopa, pergolide, pramipexole, ropinirole, selegiline, tolcapone, trihexyphenidyl, and combinations thereof.

Representative dual serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) include, but are not limited to: bicifadine, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, milnacipran, nefazodone, venlafaxine, and combinations thereof.

Representative non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) include, but are not limited to: acemetacin, acetaminophen, acetyl salicylic acid, alclofenac, alminoprofen, amfenac, amiprilosc, amoxiprin, anirolac, apazonc, azapropazonc, benorilate, benoxaprofen, bezpiperylon, broperamole, bucloxic acid, carprofen, clidanac, diclofenac, diflunisal, diftalone, enolicam, etodolac, etoricoxib, fenbufen, fenclofenac, fenclozic acid, fenoprofen, fentiazac, feprazone, flufenamic acid, flufenisal, fluprofen, flurbiprofen, furofenac, ibufenac, ibuprofen, indomethacin, indoprofen, isoxepac, isoxicam, ketoprofen, ketorolac, lofemizole, lornoxicam, meclofenamate, meclofenamic acid, mefenamic acid, meloxicam, mesalamine, miroprofen, mofebutazone, nabumetone, naproxen, niflumic acid, nimesulide, nitroflurbiprofen, olsalazine, oxaprozin, oxpinac, oxyphenbutazone, phenylbutazone, piroxicam, pirprofen, pranoprofen, salsalate, sudoxicam, sulfasalazine, sulindac, suprofen, tenoxicam, tiopinac, tiaprofenic acid, tioxaprofen, tolfenamic acid, tolmetin, triflumidate, zidometacin, zomepirac, and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the NSAID is selected from etodolac, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, ketorolac, meloxicam, naproxen, oxaprozin, piroxicam, and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the NSAID is selected from ibuprofen, indomethacin, nabumetone, naproxen (for example, naproxen sodium), and combinations thereof.

Representative muscle relaxants include, but are not limited to: carisoprodol, chlorzoxazone, cyclobenzaprine, diflunisal, metaxalone, methocarbamol, and combinations thereof.

Representative norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors include, but are not limited to: atomoxetine, buproprion and the buproprion metabolite hydroxybuproprion, maprotiline, reboxetine (for example, (S,S)-reboxetine), viloxazine, and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor is selected from atomoxetine, reboxetine, and combinations thereof.

Representative opioid agonists (opioid analgesics) include, but are not limited to: buprenorphine, butorphanol, codeine, dihydrocodeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, levallorphan, levorphanol, meperidine, methadone, morphine, nalbuphine, nalmefene, nalorphine, naloxone, naltrexone, nalorphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, pentazocine, propoxyphene, tramadol, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the opioid agonist is selected from codeine, dihydrocodeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, tramadol, and combinations thereof.

Representative selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) include, but are not limited to: citalopram and the citalopram metabolite desmethylcitalopram, dapoxetine, escitalopram (e.g., escitalopram oxalate), fluoxetine and the fluoxetine desmethyl metabolite norfluoxetine, fluvoxamine (e.g., fluvoxamine maleate), paroxetine, sertraline and the sertraline metabolite demethylsertraline, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the SSRI is selected from citalopram, paroxetine, sertraline, and combinations thereof.

Representative sodium channel blockers include, but are not limited to: carbamazepine, fosphenyloin, lamotrignine, lidocaine, mexiletine, oxcarbazepine, phenyloin, and combinations thereof.

Representative sympatholytics include, but are not limited to: atenolol, clonidine, doxazosin, guanethidine, guanfacine, modafinil, phentolamine, prazosin, reserpine, tolazoline (e.g., tolazoline hydrochloride), tamsulosin, and combinations thereof.

The following formulations illustrate representative pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention:

Exemplary Hard Gelatin Capsules for Oral Administration

A compound of the invention (50 g), spray-dried lactose (440 g) and magnesium stearate (10 g) are thoroughly blended. The resulting composition is then loaded into hard gelatin capsules (500 mg of composition per capsule).

Alternately, a compound of the invention (20 mg) is thoroughly blended with starch (89 mg), microcrystalline cellulose (89 mg) and magnesium stearate (2 mg). The mixture is then passed through a No. 45 mesh U.S. sieve and loaded into a hard gelatin capsule (200 mg of composition per capsule).

Exemplary Gelatin Capsule Formulation for Oral Administration

A compound of the invention (100 mg) is thoroughly blended with polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (50 mg) and starch powder (250 mg). The mixture is then loaded into a gelatin capsule (400 mg of composition per capsule).

Alternately, a compound of the invention (40 mg) is thoroughly blended with microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel PH 103; 259.2 mg) and magnesium stearate (0.8 mg). The mixture is then loaded into a gelatin capsule (Size #1, White, Opaque) (300 mg of composition per capsule).

Exemplary Tablet Formulation for Oral Administration

A compound of the invention (10 mg), starch (45 mg) and microcrystalline cellulose (35 mg) are passed through a No. 20 mesh U.S. sieve and mixed thoroughly. The granules so produced are dried at 50-60° C. and passed through a No. 16 mesh U.S. sieve. A solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone (4 mg as a 10% solution in sterile water) is mixed with sodium carboxymethyl starch (4.5 mg), magnesium stearate (0.5 mg), and talc (1 mg), and this mixture is then passed through a No. 16 mesh U.S. sieve. The sodium carboxymethyl starch, magnesium stearate and talc are then added to the granules. After mixing, the mixture is compressed on a tablet machine to afford a tablet weighing 100 mg.

Alternately, a compound of the invention (250 mg) is thoroughly blended with microcrystalline cellulose (400 mg), silicon dioxide fumed (10 mg), and stearic acid (5 mg). The mixture is then compressed to form tablets (665 mg of composition per tablet).

Alternately, a compound of the invention (400 mg) is thoroughly blended with cornstarch (50 mg), croscarmellose sodium (25 mg), lactose (120 mg), and magnesium stearate (5 mg). The mixture is then compressed to form a single-scored tablet (600 mg of compositions per tablet).

Exemplary Suspension Formulation for Oral Administration

The following ingredients are mixed to form a suspension containing 100 mg of active agent per 10 mL of suspension:

Ingredients Amount Compound of the invention 1.0 g Fumaric acid 0.5 g Sodium chloride 2.0 g Methyl paraben 0.15 g Propyl paraben 0.05 g Granulated sugar 25.5 g Sorbitol (70% solution) 12.85 g Veegum ® K (magnesium aluminum silicate) 1.0 g Flavoring 0.035 mL Colorings 0.5 mg Distilled water q.s. to 100 mL

Exemplary Injectable Formulation for Administration by Injection

A compound of the invention (0.2 g) is blended with 0.4M sodium acetate buffer solution (2.0 mL). The pH of the resulting solution is adjusted to pH 4 using 0.5 N aqueous hydrochloric acid or 0.5 N aqueous sodium hydroxide, as necessary, and then sufficient water for injection is added to provide a total volume of 20 mL. The mixture is then filtered through a sterile filter (0.22 micron) to provide a sterile solution suitable for administration by injection.

Exemplary Compositions for Administration by Inhalation

A compound of the invention (0.2 mg) is micronized and then blended with lactose (25 mg). This blended mixture is then loaded into a gelatin inhalation cartridge. The contents of the cartridge are administered using a dry powder inhaler, for example.

Alternately, a micronized compound of the invention (10 g) is dispersed in a solution prepared by dissolving lecithin (0.2 g) in demineralized water (200 mL). The resulting suspension is spray dried and then micronized to form a micronized composition comprising particles having a mean diameter less than about 1.5 μm. The micronized composition is then loaded into metered-dose inhaler cartridges containing pressurized 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane in an amount sufficient to provide about 10 μg to about 500 μg of the compound of the invention per dose when administered by the inhaler.

Alternately, a compound of the invention (25 mg) is dissolved in citrate buffered (pH 5) isotonic saline (125 mL). The mixture is stirred and sonicated until the compound is dissolved. The pH of the solution is checked and adjusted, if necessary, to pH 5 by slowly adding aqueous 1N sodium hydroxide. The solution is administered using a nebulizer device that provides about 10 μg to about 500 μg of the compound of the invention per dose.

EXAMPLES

The following Preparations and Examples are provided to illustrate specific embodiments of the invention. These specific embodiments, however, are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way unless specifically indicated.

The following abbreviations have the following meanings unless otherwise indicated and any other abbreviations used herein and not defined have their standard meaning:

-   -   AcOH acetic acid     -   BH₃.Mc₂S borane dimethylsulphide complex     -   BSA bovine serum albumin     -   DCM dichloromethane (i.e., methylene chloride)     -   DIAD diisopropyl azodicarboxylate     -   DMEM Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium     -   DMF N,N-dimethylformamide     -   DMSO dimethylsulfoxide     -   EDTA ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid     -   Et ethyl     -   EtOAc ethyl acetate     -   EtOH ethanol     -   FBS fetal bovine serum     -   hDAT human dopamine transporter     -   hDAT human dopamine transporter     -   HEPES 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid     -   hNET human norepinephrine transporter     -   hSERT human serotonin transporter     -   LiHMDS lithium hexamethyl disilazide     -   Me methyl     -   MeCN acetonitrile     -   MeOH methanol     -   PBS phosphate buffered saline     -   PPh₃ triphenylphosphine     -   TEMPO 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy, free radical     -   TFA trifluoroacetic acid     -   THF tetrahydrofuran

Any other abbreviations used herein but not defined have their standard, generally accepted meaning. Unless noted otherwise, all materials, such as reagents, starting materials and solvents, were purchased from commercial suppliers (such as Sigma-Aldrich, Fluka Riedel-de Haën, and the like) and were used without further purification.

In all of the compounds described in the examples, the two chiral centers are identified by the * and ** symbols. When describing the stereochemistry, the carbon atom indicated by the * symbol is designated first. Thus, an “SR” designation represents a compound having the (S) configuration at the carbon atom indicated by the * symbol and having the (R) configuration at the ** carbon atom. The same hold true for racemic mixtures. For example, an “RS/SR” designation represents a racemic mixture of (R,S) compounds and (S,R) compounds, i.e., a mixture of compounds having the (R) configuration at the * carbon atom and the (S) configuration at the ** carbon atom and compounds having the (S) configuration at the * carbon atom and the (R) configuration at the ** carbon atom.

Note that the * chiral center is known and is set forth in the compound name and/or table. However, the ** chiral center specified in the compound name and/or table is not known unambiguously and is based upon the first elution peak by reverse phase HPLC from the mixture of diastereomeric intermediates (the protected alcohols).

Preparation 1 (S)-3-((S)-1-Hydroxypropyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic Acid t-Butyl Ester

To a solution of (S)-3-hydroxymethyl-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (4.0 g, 19.9 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in DCM was added TEMPO (62 mg, 0.4 mmol, 0.02 eq.) and potassium bromide (120 mg, 1.0 mmol, 0.05 eq.). The resulting mixture was cooled over ice (and a small amount of salt, −4° C.). A 1:1 mixture of 0.7M sodium hypochlorite in water and saturated NaHCO₃ (56 mL total) was added dropwise. The resulting mixture was allowed to stand in the ice bath until layers separated (˜5 minutes). The layers were separated and extracted with DCM (3×30 mL). The organic layer was washed with water (30 mL) and saturated aqueous NaCl (30 mL), then dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated to yield (S)-3-formylpyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (3.0 g), which was used without further purification.

(S)-3-Formylpyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (1 g, 5 mmol) and THF (10 mL, 100 mmol) were combined under nitrogen, and the resulting solution cooled to −78° C. 1.0 M of Ethyl magnesium bromide in THF (7.5 mL, 7.5 mmol) was added dropwise over 10 minutes. The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature slowly overnight. The reaction was then quenched by the dropwise addition of saturated aqueous NH₄Cl (30 mL). The resulting mixture was extracted with EtOAc (2×30 mL), and the combined organic layers were washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (1×30 mL) and saturated aqueous NaCl (1×30 mL), then dried over anhydrous MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to yield (S)-3-(1-hydroxypropyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester.

(S)-3-(1-Hydroxypropyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (1.5 g, 6.5 mmol) was purified by preparative HPLC. The residue was dissolved in 50% AcOH/H₂O and the diastereomers were separated using a gradient of 10-50% AcOH/H₂O (0.05% TFA) over 80 minutes on a 2″ column at 40 mL/min. The collected fractions were lyophilized to yield each diastereomer as an oil (565 mg, SS, 1^(st) eluting peak; 565 mg, SR, 2^(nd) eluting peak). Each diastereomer was dissolved in DCM (4 mL) and HCO₃ resin (1 g@1.95 mmol/g) was added to recover residual TFA. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour. The product was filtered off and solvent was removed to yield the title compound.

Example 1 (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,4-Dichlorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine

60% NaH in mineral oil (60:40, NaH:mineral oil, 10 mg, 260 μmol) was slowly added to a mixture of (S)-3-((S)-1-hydroxypropyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (50 mg, 0.2 mmol, 1 eq.) in DMF (680 μL, 8.7 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred for 15 minutes, at room temperature. 2,4-Dichloro-1-fluorobenzene (76 μL, 3 eq.) was added and the mixture was heated at 90° C. for 3 hours. The reaction was quenched with MeOH (1 mL). DMF and MeOH was removed under reduced pressure, leaving the BOC-protected intermediate, (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester. Deprotection was carried out using 1.25 M HCl in EtOH (1.7 mL, 2.2 mmol). The mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. The product was then purified by preparative HPLC to yield the title compound as a mono-TFA salt (41.5 mg). MS m/z: [M+H]⁺ calcd for C₁₃H₁₇Cl₂NO, 274.07; found 274.0.

Monohydrochloride Salt

(S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,4-Dichlorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (22.0 g, 58.8 mmol) was dissolved in EtOAc (50 mL, 500 mmol) and cooled to 0° C. A HCl solution was prepared by the slow addition of acetyl chloride (40.0 mL, 562 mmol) into EtOH (100 mL, 2000 mmol) at 0° C., then added to the EtOAc solution, while stirring. The resulting mixture was stirred at 0° C. to room temperature overnight. then concentrated by rotary evaporation. EtOAc (200 mL) was added and the solution was again concentrated by rotary evaporation. Additional EtOAc (200 mL) was added and the solution was concentrated by rotary evaporation. The product was dried under high vacuum to yield the title salt as a thick oil/semisolid (16.7 g, >99% purity).

Example 2

Following the procedures described in the examples above, and substituting the appropriate starting materials and reagents, compounds 2-1 to 2-75, having formula IIa, were prepared as mono-TFA salts:

(IIa)

MS m/z: [M + H]⁺ # * ** R² R³ R⁴ R⁵ R⁶ Formula calcd found  1 S S H Cl H H H C₁₃H₁₈ClNO 240.11 240.0  2 S S H H Cl H H C₁₃H₁₈ClNO 240.11 240.0  3 R R H H Cl H H C₁₃H₁₈ClNO 240.11 240.0  4 S R H H Cl H H C₁₃H₁₈ClNO 240.11 240.2  5 S S H F Cl H H C₁₃H₁₇ClFNO 258.10 258.2  6 S R H F Cl H H C₁₃H₁₇ClFNO 258.10 258.2  7 S S H Cl Cl H H C₁₃H₁₇Cl₂NO 274.07 274.0  8 S R H Cl Cl H H C₁₃H₁₇Cl₂NO 274.07 274.0  9 S S H F H H H C₁₃H₁₈FNO 224.14 224.0 10 S S H F H Cl H C₁₃H₁₇ClFNO 258.10 258.2 11 S R H F H Cl H C₁₃H₁₇ClFNO 258.10 258.2 12 S S H H F H H C₁₃H₁₈FNO 224.14 224.0 13 S S H Me Cl H H C₁₄H₂₀ClNO 254.12 254.2 14 S R H Me Cl H H C₁₄H₂₀ClNO 254.12 254.2 15 S S H Me Cl Me H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 16 S S H —CF₃ H H H C₁₄H₁₈F₃NO 274.13 274.0 17 S S H H —CF₃ H H C₁₄H₁₈F₃NO 274.13 274.0 18 S S H Cl H Cl H C₁₃H₁₇Cl₂NO 274.07 274.0 19 R R H Cl H Cl H C₁₃H₁₇Cl₂NO 274.07 274.0 20 S S H Cl H OMe H C₁₄H₂₀ClNO₂ 270.12 270.2 21 S S H Cl F H H C₁₃H₁₇ClFNO 258.10 258.0 22 S S H F OMe F H C₁₄H₁₉F₂NO₂ 272.14 272.2 23 S S Cl H H H H C₁₃H₁₈ClNO 240.11 240.0 24 S R Cl H H H H C₁₃H₁₈ClNO 240.11 240.2 25 S S Cl H H H F C₁₃H₁₇ClFNO 258.10 258.0 26 S R Cl H H H F C₁₃H₁₇ClFNO 258.10 258.0 27 S S Cl H H H Me C₁₄H₂₀ClNO 254.12 254.0 28 S S Cl Cl H H H C₁₃H₁₇Cl₂NO 274.07 274.0 29 R R Cl Cl H H H C₁₃H₁₇Cl₂NO 274.07 274.0 30 R S Cl Cl H H H C₁₃H₁₇Cl₂NO 274.07 274.0 31 S R Cl Cl H H H C₁₃H₁₇Cl₂NO 274.07 274.0 32 S S Cl H F H H C₁₃H₁₇ClFNO 258.10 258.0 33 R R Cl H Cl H H C₁₃H₁₇Cl₂NO 274.07 274.0 34 S R Cl H Cl H H C₁₃H₁₇Cl₂NO 274.07 274.3 35 S S Cl H Cl H F C₁₃H₁₆Cl₂FNO 292.06 292.0 36 S R Cl F H F H C₁₃H₁₆ClF₂NO 276.09 276.0 37 S S Cl Cl H H Cl C₁₃H₁₆Cl₃NO 308.03 308.0 38 S R Cl Cl H H Cl C₁₃H₁₆Cl₃NO 308.03 308.0 39 S R Cl Cl H H F C₁₃H₁₆Cl₂FNO 292.06 292.0 40 S S Cl F H H F C₁₃H₁₆ClF₂NO 276.09 276.4 41 S R Cl F H H F C₁₃H₁₆ClF₂NO 276.09 276.0 42 S S Cl F Cl H H C₁₃H₁₆Cl₂FNO 292.06 292.0 43 S S Cl H Cl H Me C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 44 S S Cl OMe H H F C₁₄H₁₉ClFNO₂ 288.11 288.2 45 S R Cl OMe H H F C₁₄H₁₉ClFNO₂ 288.11 288.2 46 S S F H H H H C₁₃H₁₈FNO 224.14 224.0 47 S S F H Cl H H C₁₃H₁₇ClFNO 258.10 258.0 48 S S F H Cl H F C₁₃H₁₆ClF₂NO 276.09 276.0 49 S S F H H H F C₁₃H₁₇F₂NO 242.13 242.0 50 S S F F F H H C₁₃H₁₆F₃NO 260.12 260.0 51 S S F F Me H H C₁₄H₁₉F₂NO 256.14 256.2 52 S S F Cl H H F C₁₃H₁₆ClF₂NO 276.09 276.0 53 S R F Cl H H F C₁₃H₁₆ClF₂NO 276.09 276.0 54 S R F Me H H Cl C₁₄H₁₉ClFNO 272.11 272.0 55 S S F H F H F C₁₃H₁₆F₃NO 260.12 260.0 56 S S F F H F F C₁₃H₁₅F₄NO 278.11 278.0 57 S S F OMe F H H C₁₄H₁₉F₂NO₂ 272.14 272.2 58 S S Me H Cl H H C₁₄H₂₀ClNO 254.12 254.0 59 S R Me H Cl H H C₁₄H₂₀ClNO 254.12 254.0 60 R R Me H Cl H H C₁₄H₂₀ClNO 254.12 254.0 61 R S Me H Cl H H C₁₄H₂₀ClNO 254.12 254.0 62 S S Me H H H H C₁₄H₂₁NO 220.16 220.0 63 S R Me H H H H C₁₄H₂₁NO 220.16 220.0 64 S S Me Cl H H H C₁₄H₂₀ClNO 254.12 254.2 65 S R Me Cl H H H C₁₄H₂₀ClNO 254.12 254.2 66 S S Et H F H H C₁₅H₂₂FNO 252.17 252.2 67 S S OMe H H H H C₁₄H₂₁NO₂ 236.16 236.0 68 S S OMe H Cl H H C₁₄H₂₀ClNO₂ 270.12 270.0 69 S S OMe H F H H C₁₄H₂₀FNO₂ 254.15 254.0 70 S S OMe H Cl F H C₁₄H₁₉ClFNO₂ 288.11 288.0 71 S S —CF₃ Cl H H H C₁₄H₁₇ClF₃NO 308.10 308.0 72 R R —CF₃ Cl H H H C₁₄H₁₇ClF₃NO 308.10 308.0 73 R S —CF₃ Cl H H H C₁₄H₁₇ClF₃NO 308.10 308.0 74 S R —CF₃ Cl H H H C₁₄H₁₇ClF₃NO 308.10 308.2 75 S S —CF₃ H Cl H H C₁₄H₁₇ClF₃NO 308.10 308.0 1 (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chlorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 2 (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chlorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 3. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chlorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 4. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chlorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 5. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-3-fluorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 6. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chloro-3-fluorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 7. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 8. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 9. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Fluorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 10. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chloro-5-fluorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 11. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(3-Chloro-5-fluorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 12. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Fluorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 13. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-3-methylphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 14. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chloro-3-methylphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 15. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-3,5-dimethylphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 16. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Trifluoromethylphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 17. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Trifluoromethylphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 18. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3,5-Dichlorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 19. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(3,5-Dichlorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 20. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chloro-5-methoxyphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 21. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chloro-4-fluorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 22. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3,5-Difluoro-4-methoxyphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 23. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Chlorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 24. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2-Chlorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 25. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Chloro-6-fluorophenoxy)-propyl]pyrrolidine 26. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2-Chloro-6-fluorophenoxy)-propyl]pyrrolidine 27. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Chloro-6-methoxyphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 28. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,3-Dichlorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 29. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(2,3-Dichlorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 30. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(2,3-Dichlorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 31. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2,3-Dichlorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 32. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Chloro-4-fluorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 33. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(2,4-Dichlorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 34. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2,4-Dichlorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 35. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,4-Dichloro-6-fluorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 36. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2-Chloro-3,5-difluorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 37. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,3,6-Trichlorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 38. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2,3,6-Trichlorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 39. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2,3-Dichloro-6-fluorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 40. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Chloro-3,6-difluorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 41. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2-Chloro-3,6-difluorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 42. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,4-Dichloro-3-fluorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 43. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,4-Dichloro-6-methylphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 44. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Chloro-6-fluoro-3-methoxyphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 45. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2-Chloro-6-fluoro-3-methoxyphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 46. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Fluorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 47. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 48. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-2,6-difluorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 49. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,6-Difluorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 50. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,3,4-Trifluorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 51. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,3-Difluoro-4-methylphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 52. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chloro-2,6-difluorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 53. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(3-Chloro-2,6-difluorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 54. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(6-Chloro-2-fluoro-3-methylphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 55. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,4,6-Trifluorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 56. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,3,5,6-Tetrafluorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 57. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,4-Difluoro-3-methoxyphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 58. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 59. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 60. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 61. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 62. (S)-3-((S)-1-o-Tolyloxypropyl)pyrrolidine 63. (S)-3-((R)-1-o-Tolyloxypropyl)pyrrolidine 64. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 65. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(3-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 66. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Ethyl-4-fluorophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 67. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Methoxyphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 68. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-2-methoxyphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 69. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Fluoro-2-methoxyphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 70. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-5-fluoro-2-methoxyphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 71. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 72. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(3-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 73. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 74. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(3-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 75. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine

Preparation 2 (S)-3-((S)-1-Hydroxybutyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic Acid t-Butyl Ester

(S)-3-Formylpyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (2.2 g, 11 mmol) and THF (20 mL, 300 mmol) were combined under nitrogen, and the resulting solution was cooled to −78° C. 2.0M Propylmagnesium chloride in ether (11.0 mL, 22.1 mmol) was then added dropwise over 1 hour. The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature slowly overnight. Then saturated aqueous NH₄Cl (20 mL) was added dropwise to quench the reaction. The resulting mixture was extracted with EtOAc (2×50 mL), and the combined organic layers were washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (1×100 mL) and saturated aqueous NaCl (1×100 mL), then dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to yield a pale, yellow oil (2.6 g). The oil was purified by preparative HPLC in two equal batches of 1.3 g loading in 1:1 AcOH/H₂O (6 mL). The diastereomers were separated by gradient (5-70% MeCN/H₂O; 0.05% TFA; over 70 minutes on a 2″ BDS column). The fractions for peak 1 were collected and lyophilized to yield an oil. The fractions for peak 2 were lyophilized then repurified. Both products were identified as clean by NMR and HPLC and identified for mass by LCMS:

(S)-3-((S)-1-Hydroxybutyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (810 mg; 1^(st) eluting peak). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 3.60-3.35 (m, 3H); 3.25 (dd, J=17.8, 11.4, 1H); 2.99 (t, J=9.8, 1H); 2.38-2.25 (m, 2H); 2.25-2.13 (m, 1H); 2.04 (td, J=11.2, 6.3, 1H); 1.80-1.65 (m, 1H); 1.58-1.25 (m, 11H); 0.95 (t, J=6.9, 3H).

(S)-3-(R)-1-Hydroxybutyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (780 mg, 2^(nd) eluting peak). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 3.65-3.43 (m, 3H); 3.26 (dd, J=16.0, 7.6, 1H); 3.13 (t, J=8.9, 1H); 2.38-2.15 (m, 3H); 1.88 (dtd, J=14.1, 6.8, 2.4, 1H); 1.72-1.55 (m, 1H); 1.55-1.34 (m, 11H); 0.95 (t, J=6.7, 3H).

Example 3 (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,3-Dichlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine

(S)-3-((S)-1-Hydroxybutyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (50 mg, 0.2 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (1.0 mL, 13 mmol). NaH (5.9 mg, 246 mmol) was slowly added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 minutes. 1,2-Dichloro-3-fluorobenzene (67.8 mg, 411 μmol) was added. The mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 3 hours, then concentrated. 1.2M HCl in EtOH (1.0 mL, 1.2 mmol) was added, and the mixture was stirred overnight. The product was concentrated and purified by preparative HPLC to yield the title compound as a mono-TFA salt (19 mg, 100% purity). MS m/z: [M+H]⁺ calcd for C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO, 288.08; found 288.0.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.89 (br. s, 1H), 9.53 (br. s, 1H), 7.16-7.04 (m, 2H), 6.81 (dd, J=8.1, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 4.36 (dd, J=11.3, 5.8 Hz, 1H), 3.50-3.36 (m, 2H), 3.36-3.22 (m, 1H), 3.15-3.00 (m, 1H), 2.77 (pd, J=8.2, 5.2 Hz, 1H), 2.34-2.06 (m, 2H), 1.77-1.66 (m, 1H), 1.60 (ddd, J=14.0, 12.0, 7.2 Hz, 1H), 1.45-1.32 (m, 2H), 0.92 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 3H).

Example 4

Following the procedures described in the examples above, and substituting the appropriate starting materials and reagents, compounds 4-1 to 4-72, having formula IIb, were prepared as mono-TFA salts:

(IIb)

MS m/z: [M + H]⁺ # * ** R² R³ R⁴ R⁵ R⁶ Formula calcd found  1 S S H H Cl H H C₁₄H₂₀ClNO 254.12 254.0  2 S R H H Cl H H C₁₄H₂₀ClNO 254.12 254.2  3 R S H H Cl H H C₁₄H₂₀ClNO 254.12 254.2  4 R R H H Cl H H C₁₄H₂₀ClNO 254.12 254.2  5 S S H H F H H C₁₄H₂₀FNO 238.15 238.2  6 S S H Cl H Cl H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0  7 S R H Cl H Cl H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0  8 R S H Cl H Cl H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0  9 R R H Cl H Cl H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 10 S R H Cl H F H C₁₄H₁₉ClFNO 272.11 272.2 11 S S H Cl H F H C₁₄H₁₉ClFNO 272.11 272.2 12 S S H Cl Cl H H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 13 S R H Cl Cl H H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 14 R R H Cl Cl H H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.2 15 S R H Me Cl H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 16 S S H Me Cl H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 17 S R H F Cl H H C₁₄H₁₉ClFNO 272.11 272.2 18 S S H F Cl H H C₁₄H₁₉ClFNO 272.11 272.2 19 S S Cl H H H H C₁₄H₂₀ClNO 254.12 254.0 20 S R Cl H H H H C₁₄H₂₀ClNO 254.12 254.2 21 R S Cl H H H H C₁₄H₂₀ClNO 254.12 254.2 22 R R Cl H H H H C₁₄H₂₀ClNO 254.12 254.2 23 S R Cl Cl H H H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.2 24 R S Cl Cl H H H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 25 R R Cl Cl H H H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 26 S R Cl Cl H H Cl C₁₄H₁₈Cl₃NO 322.05 322.0 27 S S Cl Cl H H Cl C₁₄H₁₈Cl₃NO 322.05 322.0 28 S S Cl H Cl H H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 29 S R Cl H Cl H H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 30 R S Cl H Cl H H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 31 R R Cl H Cl H H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 32 S S Cl H F H H C₁₄H₁₉ClFNO 272.11 272.2 33 S S Cl H H H Cl C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 34 S R Cl H H H Cl C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.2 35 R S Cl H H H Cl C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 36 R R Cl H H H Cl C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 37 S S Cl H Me H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 38 R S Cl H Me H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 39 S S Cl F Cl H H C₁₄H₁₈Cl₂FNO 306.08 306.0 40 S S Cl H Cl H F C₁₄H₁₈Cl₂FNO 306.08 306.2 41 S S Cl H Cl H Me C₁₅H₂₁Cl₂NO 302.10 302.2 42 S R Cl OMe H H F C₁₅H₂₁ClFNO₂ 302.12 302.2 43 S S Cl OMe H H F C₁₅H₂₁ClFNO₂ 302.12 302.2 44 S R F F H H H C₁₄H₁₉F₂NO 256.14 256.2 45 S S F F H H H C₁₄H₁₉F₂NO 256.14 256.2 46 S R F Cl H H H C₁₄H₁₉ClFNO 272.11 272.2 47 R R F Cl H H H C₁₄H₁₉ClFNO 272.11 272.2 48 S S F Cl H H H C₁₄H₁₉ClFNO 272.11 272.2 49 S R F F F H H C₁₄H₁₈F₃NO 274.13 274.2 50 S S F F F H H C₁₄H₁₈F₃NO 274.13 274.2 51 S R F Cl Cl H H C₁₄H₁₈Cl₂FNO 306.08 306.0 52 S S F Cl Cl H H C₁₄H₁₈Cl₂FNO 306.08 306.0 53 S S F H Cl H F C₁₄H₁₈ClF₂NO 290.10 290.2 54 S S Me Cl H H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.0 55 S R Me Cl H H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 56 R S Me Cl H H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 57 R R Me Cl H H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 58 S S Me H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 59 R S Me H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 60 S R Me H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 61 R R Me H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 62 S S Me Me H H H C₁₆H₂₅NO 248.19 248.2 63 R R Me Me H H H C₁₆H₂₅NO 248.19 248.2 64 S S —CF₃ H Cl H H C₁₅H₁₉ClF₃NO 322.11 322.0 65 S R —CF₃ H Cl H H C₁₅H₁₉ClF₃NO 322.11 322.2 66 R S —CF₃ H Cl H H C₁₅H₁₉ClF₃NO 322.11 322.2 67 R R —CF₃ H Cl H H C₁₅H₁₉ClF₃NO 322.11 322.2 68 S S —CF₃ Cl H H H C₁₅H₁₉ClF₃NO 322.11 322.0 69 S R —CF₃ Cl H H H C₁₅H₁₉ClF₃NO 322.11 322.2 70 R S —CF₃ Cl H H H C₁₅H₁₉ClF₃NO 322.11 322.2 71 R R —CF₃ Cl H H H C₁₅H₁₉ClF₃NO 322.11 322.2 72 S S OMe H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO₂ 284.13 284.2 1. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 2. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 3. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 4. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 5. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Fluorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 6. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3,5-Dichlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 7. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(3,5-Dichlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 8. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(3,5-Dichlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 9. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(3,5-Dichlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 10. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(3-Chloro-5-fluorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 11. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chloro-5-fluorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 12. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 13. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 14. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 15. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chloro-3-methylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 16. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-3-methylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 17. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chloro-3-fluorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 18. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-3-fluorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 19. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Chlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 20. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2-Chlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 21. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Chlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 22. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(2-Chlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 23. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2,3-Dichlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 24. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(2,3-Dichlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 25. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(2,3-Dichlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 26. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2,3,6-Trichlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 27. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,3,6-Trichlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 28. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,4-Dichlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 29. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2,4-Dichlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 30. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(2,4-Dichlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 31. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(2,4-Dichlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 32. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Chloro-4-fluorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 33. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,6-Dichlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 34. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2,6-Dichlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 35. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(2,6-Dichlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 36. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(2,6-Dichlorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 37. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Chloro-4-methylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 38. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Chloro-4-methylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 39. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,4-Dichloro-3-fluorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 40. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,4-Dichloro-6-fluorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 41. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,4-Dichloro-6-methylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 42. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2-Chloro-6-fluoro-3-methoxyphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 43. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Chloro-6-fluoro-3-methoxyphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 44. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2,3-Difluorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 45. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,3-Difluorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 46. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(3-Chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 47. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(3-Chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 48. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 49. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2,3,4-Trifluorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 50. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,3,4-Trifluorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 51. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(3,4-Dichloro-2-fluorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 52. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3,4-Dichloro-2-fluorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 53. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-2,6-difluorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 54. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 55. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(3-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 56. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 57. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(3-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 58. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 59. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 60. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 61. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 62. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,3-Dimethylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 63. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(2,3-Dimethylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 64. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 65. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 66. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 67. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 68. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 69. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(3-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 70. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 71. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(3-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 72. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-2-methoxyphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine

Preparation 3 (S)-3-((S)-1-Hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic Acid t-Butyl Ester

(S)-3-Formylpyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (10.0 g, 50.2 mmol) and THF (100 mL, 1000 mmol) were combined under nitrogen, and the resulting solution was cooled to −78° C. 2.0M isopropylmagnesium chloride in THF (30.1 mL, 60.2 mmol) was then added dropwise over 10 minutes. The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature slowly overnight. Then saturated aqueous NH₄Cl (100 mL) was added dropwise to quench the reaction. The THF was removed under vacuum and the resulting mixture was extracted with EtOAc (2×100 mL), and the combined organic layers were washed with saturated aqueous NaCl (1×100 mL), then dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was purified by normal phase chromatography (300 g SiO₂, 12 g crude, 50-60% diethyl ether in hexanes) to yield the following as clear oils:

(S)-3-((S)-1-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (3.8 g; 1^(st) eluting peak). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ 4.60-4.38 (brs, 1H), 3.40-3.22 (m, 2H), 3.28-3.02 (m, 2H), 2.94-2.82 (m, 1H), 2.28-2.12 (m, 1H), 1.92-1.82 (m, 1H), 1.70-1.56 (m, 1H), 1.52-1.44 (m, 1H), 1.38 (s, 9H), 0.87 (d, J=6.8 Hz, 3H), 0.83 (d, J=6.8 Hz, 3H).

(S)-3-((R)-1-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (2.8 g; 2^(nd) eluting peak). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ 4.50-4.40, (brs, 1H) 3.42-3.28 (m, 2H), 3.18-3.06 (m, 2H), 3.04-2.92 (m, 1H), 2.26-2.12 (m, 1H), 1.78-1.68 (m, 1H), 1.62-1.46 (m, 2H), 1.38 (s, 9H), 0.88 (d, J=6.8 Hz, 3H), 0.82 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 3H).

Assignment of the stereochemistry of the title compound was done by the Mosher ester analysis (Dale and Mosher (1969) J. Org. Chem. 34(9):2543-2549) on the material that eluted second. Using this analysis, the 2^(nd) eluting peak material was determined to be (S,R):

Proton δ (S,R,S) δ (S,R,R) δ (S,R,S) − δ (S,R,R) Ha 5.040 5.029   0.011 Hb 2.486 2.511 −0.025 Hc, He Overlapping non- Overlapping non- ND equiv H's equiv H's Hd, Hd′ 0.912 0.876   0.036 He′ Overlap with Boc Overlap with Boc ND Hf 3.209 3.212 −0.003 Hf′ 2.988 3.050 −0.062 Hg Overlap with OMe Overlap with OMe ND Hg′ 3.364 3.389 −0.025 ND: not determinable

Note that the first two letters correspond to the 2^(nd) eluting peak material and the third letter of the diastereomer refers to the Mosher's ester chiral center.

SRS diastereomer: 1H, CDCl₃, δ ppm 7.60-7.51 (m, 2H); 7.43-7.37 (m, 3H); 5.04 (dd, J=8.0, 4.0, 1H); 3.52 (s, 3H); 3.51-3.45 (m, 1H); 3.36 (t, J=8.4, 1H); 3.28-3.12 (m, 1H); 3.07-2.90 (m, 1H); 2.59-2.39 (m, 1H); 1.97-1.80 (m, 2H); 1.59-1.45 (m, 1H); 1.43 (s, 9H); 0.93 (d, J=6.8, 3H); 0.90 (d, J=6.8, 3H).

SRR diastereomer: 1H, CDCl₃, δ ppm 7.62-7.52 (m, 2H); 7.44-7.36 (m, 3H); 5.06-4.98 (m, 1H); 3.52 (s, 3H); 3.52-3.45 (m, 1H); 3.39 (t, J=8.8, 1H); 3.30-3.14 (m, 1H); 3.10-2.96 (m, 1H); 2.60-2.40 (m, 1H); 1.96-1.80 (m, 2H); 1.58-1.45 (m, 1H); 1.43 (s, 9H); 0.96 (m, 6H).

Example 5 (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine

(S)-3-((S)-1-Hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (750 mg, 3.1 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (11 mL, 140 mmol). Washed and dried NaH (222 mg, 9.3 mmol) was slowly added in three portions, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 minutes under nitrogen. 1-Chloro-4-fluorobenzene (984 μL, 9.3 mmol) was added. The mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 1 hour, cooled to room temperature and the reaction quenched with MeOH, then concentrated. The mixture was partitioned between EtOAc and water (25 mL each) to remove excess sodium salts. The aqueous layer was reextracted with EtOAc (3×25 mL), and the organic layers were combined and concentrated. The crude BOC-protected intermediate, (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester, was then purified by silica gel (40 g column, 0-75% EtOAc in hexanes over 30 minutes). The desired fractions were collected and concentrated to yield the BOC-protected intermediate as a clear oil (481 mg). Deprotection was carried out using 1.25 M HCl in EtOH (11 mL, 13 mmol). The mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature under nitrogen. The solids were redissolved in 1:1 AcOH/H₂O (10 mL) and purified by preparative HPLC (10-70% gradient MeCN/H₂O). The desired fractions were collected to yield the title compound as a mono-TFA salt (481 mg, 98% purity). MS m/z: [M+H]⁺ calcd for C₁₄H₂₀ClNO, 254.12; found 254.0.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.80-9.58 (m, 2H); 7.23-7.18 (m, 2H); 6.88-6.81 (m, 2H); 4.20 (t, J=5.5, 1H); 3.40-3.28 (m, 2H); 3.27-3.15 (m, 1H); 2.97-2.87 (m, 1H); 2.75 (qd, J=13.7, 7.8, 1H); 2.18-2.08 (m, 1H); 2.06-1.97 (m, 1H); 1.92 (qd, J=13.5, 6.7, 1H); 0.98 (d, J=0.98, 3H); 0.97 (d, J=0.98, 3H).

Monohydrochloride Crystalline Salt

(S)-3-((S)-1-Hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (2.6 g, 10.7 mmol, 1.0 eq.) and 1-chloro-4-fluorobenzene (3.4 mL, 32.0 mmol, 3.0 eq.) were dissolved in DMF (12 mL, 150 mmol). NaH (385 mg, 16.0 mmol, 1.5 eq.) was slowly added in three portions, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 minutes under nitrogen. The mixture was heated at 90° C. for 3 hours, then cooled to room temperature. The mixture was extracted with hexanes (50 mL) and washed with water (50 mL). The aqueous layer was reextracted with hexanes (50 mL). The organic layers were combined, dried under Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated. The crude BOC-protected intermediate was then purified by column chromatography (eluting with hexanes and ether, 0-100%, combiflash). Deprotection was carried out using 1.20 M HCl in EtOH (150 mL, 180 mmol). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 48 hours. The solution was concentrated until dry to yield the crude product as a mono-HCl salt. The crude mono-HCl salt was dissolved in isopropanol (5 mL) to produce an oil, which was heated to at 55° C. Diisopropyl ether (25 mL) was slowly added under constant stirring to form a homogeneous solution, which was cooled to room temperature. The reaction vessel was scarred and seed crystals (from heating and slowly cooling 100 mg of crude HCl salt using similar conditions) were added during the cooling process. Solids formed and the solution was allowed to sit at room temperature for 1 hour. The solids were filtered and washed with diisopropyl ether (10 mL) to yield a white solid (1.4 g). The filtrate was concentrated and crystallization was repeated twice to yield a total of 2.4 g (from 3 precipitations). The precipitate was dissolved in water and lyophilized to give the title compound as an off-white crystalline solid (2.4 g, 99% purity).

Example 6

Following the procedures described in the examples above, and substituting the appropriate starting materials and reagents, compounds 6-1 to 6-77, having formula IIc, were prepared as mono-TFA salts:

(IIc)

MS m/z: [M + H]⁺ * ** R² R³ R⁴ R⁵ R⁶ Formula calcd found  1 S R F H H H H C₁₄H₂₀FNO 238.15 238.2  2 RR/SS F H H H H C₁₄H₂₀FNO 238.15 238.2  3 S S F Cl H H H C₁₄H₁₉ClFNO 272.11 272.1  4 S R F Cl H H H C₁₄H₁₉ClFNO 272.11 272.1  5 S S F H Cl H F C₁₄H₁₈ClF₂NO 290.10 290.0  6 R R F H Cl H F C₁₄H₁₈ClF₂NO 290.10 290.0  7 S S F Cl Cl H H C₁₄H₁₈Cl₂FNO 306.08 306.0  8 S R F Cl Cl H H C₁₄H₁₈Cl₂FNO 306.08 306.0  9 R R F Cl Cl H H C₁₄H₁₈Cl₂FNO 306.08 306.0 10 S S F F Cl H H C₁₄H₁₈ClF₂NO 290.10 290.2 11 RR/SS Cl H H H H C₁₄H₂₀ClNO 254.12 254.0 12 S S Cl Cl H H H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 13 RR/SS Cl Cl H H H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 14 S R Cl Cl H H H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.2 15 R R Cl Cl H H H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.2 16 R S Cl Cl H H H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 17 S S Cl F H H H C₁₄H₁₉ClFNO 272.11 272.0 18 RR/SS Cl F H H H C₁₄H₁₉ClFNO 272.11 272.0 19 S R Cl F H H H C₁₄H₁₉ClFNO 272.11 272.2 20 R S Cl F H H H C₁₄H₁₉ClFNO 272.11 272.2 21 S S Cl H Cl H H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.2 22 S R Cl H Cl H H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.2 23 R R Cl H Cl H H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 24 S S Cl H Me H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 25 S S Cl H —CF₃ H H C₁₅H₁₉ClF₃NO 322.11 322.2 26 S R Cl H H Cl H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 27 RR/SS Cl H H H Cl C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 28 S S Cl H H H Cl C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 29 S R Cl H H H Cl C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 30 S S Cl H Cl H F C₁₄H₁₈Cl₂FNO 306.08 306.0 31 S R Cl H Cl H F C₁₄H₁₈Cl₂FNO 306.08 306.0 32 R S Cl H Cl H F C₁₄H₁₈Cl₂FNO 306.08 306.0 33 S S Cl H Cl H Me C₁₅H₂₁Cl₂NO 302.10 302.0 34 S S Cl Cl H H F C₁₄H₁₈Cl₂FNO 306.08 306.0 35 S S Cl Cl H H Cl C₁₄H₁₈Cl₃NO 322.05 322.0 36 S S Cl F H H F C₁₄H₁₈ClF₂NO 290.10 290.0 37 R R Cl OMe H H F C₁₅H₂₁ClFNO₂ 302.12 302.2 38 S S Cl F H F Cl C₁₄H₁₇Cl₂F₂NO 324.07 324.0 39 S S Me Cl H H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 40 S R Me Cl H H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 41 R R Me Cl H H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 42 R S Me Cl H H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 43 S R Me Me H H H C₁₆H₂₅NO 248.19 248.2 44 S R Me H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 45 S S Me H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 46 R R Me H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 47 S S OMe H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO₂ 284.13 284.4 48 R R OMe H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO₂ 284.13 284.2 49 S S —CF₃ Cl H H H C₁₅H₁₉ClF₃NO 322.11 322.2 50 RR/SS —CF₃ H Cl H H C₁₅H₁₉ClF₃NO 322.11 322.0 51 S S —CF₃ H Cl H H C₁₅H₁₉ClF₃NO 322.11 322.2 52 S R —CF₃ H Cl H H C₁₅H₁₉ClF₃NO 322.11 322.2 53 S S —NO₂ H H H H C₁₄H₂₀N₂O₃ 265.15 265.2 54 S S H F H H H C₁₄H₂₀FNO 238.15 238.2 55 RR/SS H F H H H C₁₄H₂₀FNO 238.15 238.2 56 S S H F Cl H H C₁₄H₁₉ClFNO 272.11 272.2 57 S R H F Cl H H C₁₄H₁₉ClFNO 272.11 272.2 58 R R H F Cl H H C₁₄H₁₉ClFNO 272.11 272.2 59 S S H F H Cl H C₁₄H₁₉ClFNO 272.11 272.2 60 S R H F H Cl H C₁₄H₁₉ClFNO 272.11 272.2 61 R R H F H Cl H C₁₄H₁₉ClFNO 272.11 272.2 62 S S H Cl Cl H H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 63 S R H Cl Cl H H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 64 R R H Cl Cl H H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 65 R S H Cl Cl H H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 66 S S H Cl H Cl H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 67 RR/SS H Cl H Cl H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 68 S R H Cl H Cl H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.2 69 R S H Cl H Cl H C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂NO 288.08 288.0 70 S S H Me Cl H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 71 S R H Me Cl H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 72 RR/SS H —CF₃ H H H C₁₅H₂₀F₃NO 288.15 288.2 73 RR/SS H H F H H C₁₄H₂₀FNO 238.15 238.2 74 RR/SS H H Cl H H C₁₄H₂₀ClNO 254.12 254.0 75 R R H H Cl H H C₁₄H₂₀ClNO 254.12 254.2 76 S R H H Cl H H C₁₄H₂₀ClNO 254.12 254.2 77 RR/SS H H —CF₃ H H C₁₅H₂₀F₃NO 288.15 288.2 1. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Fluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 2. 3-[1-(2-Fluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 3. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 4. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(3-Chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 5. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-2,6-difluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 6. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chloro-2,6-difluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 7. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3,4-Dichloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 8. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(3,4-Dichloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 9. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(3,4-Dichloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 10. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-2,3-difluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 11. 3-[1-(2-Chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 12. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,3-Dichlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 13. 3-[1-(2,3-Dichlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 14. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2,3-Dichlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 15. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(2,3-Dichlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 16. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(2,3-Dichlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 17. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Chloro-3-fluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 18. 3-[1-(2-Chloro-3-fluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 19. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2-Chloro-3-fluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 20. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Chloro-3-fluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 21. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,4-Dichlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 22. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2,4-Dichlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 23. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(2,4-Dichlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 24. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Chloro-4-methylphenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 25. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Chloro-4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 26. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2,5-Dichlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 27. 3-[1-(2,6-Dichlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 28. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,6-Dichlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 29. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2,6-Dichlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 30. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,4-Dichloro-6-fluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 31. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2,4-Dichloro-6-fluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 32. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(2,4-Dichloro-6-fluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 33. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,4-Dichloro-6-methylphenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 34. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,3-Dichloro-6-fluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 35. (S)-3-[(S)-2-Methyl-1-(2,3,6-trichlorophenoxy)-propyl]-pyrrolidine 36. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Chloro-3,6-difluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 37. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(2-Chloro-6-fluoro-3-methoxyphenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 38. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,6-Dichloro-3,5-difluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 39. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 40. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(3-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 41. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(3-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 42. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 43. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2,3-Dimethylphenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 44. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 45. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 46. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 47. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-2-methoxyphenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 48. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chloro-2-methoxyphenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 49. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 50. 3-[1-(4-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 51. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 52. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 53. (S)-3-[(S)-2-Methyl-1-(2-nitrophenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 54. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Fluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 55. 3-[1-(3-Fluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 56. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-3-fluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 57. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chloro-3-fluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 58. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chloro-3-fluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 59. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chloro-5-fluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 60. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(3-Chloro-5-fluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 61. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(3-Chloro-5-fluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 62. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 63. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 64. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 65. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 66. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3,5-Dichlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 67. 3-[1-(3,5-Dichlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 68. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(3,5-Dichlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 69. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(3,5-Dichlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 70. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-3-methylphenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 71. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chloro-3-methylphenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 72. 3-[2-Methyl-1-(3-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-propyl]pyrrolidine 73. 3-[1-(4-Fluorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 74. 3-[1-(4-Chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 75. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 76. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine 77. 3-[2-Methyl-1-(4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)propyl]pyrrolidine

Preparation 4 (S)-3-((R)-1-Hydroxypentyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic Acid t-Butyl Ester

(S)-3-Formylpyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (3.8 g, 18.8 mmol) and THF (40 mL, 500 mmol) were combined under nitrogen, and the resulting solution was cooled to −78° C. 2.0M n-Butylmagnesium chloride in ether (14.1 mL, 28.2 mmol) was then added dropwise over 20 minutes. The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature slowly overnight. Then saturated aqueous NH₄Cl (100 mL) was added dropwise to quench the reaction. The resulting mixture was extracted with EtOAc (2×50 mL), and the combined organic layers were washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (1×100 mL) and saturated aqueous NaCl (1×100 mL), then dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to leave a pale, yellow oil (5.2 g). The oil was purified by preparative HPLC. The residue was dissolved in 50% AcOH/H₂O and the diastereomers were separated using a gradient of (10-70% MeCN/H₂O and 0.05% TFA) over 80 minutes on a 2″ column at 40 mL/min. The collected fractions were lyophilized to yield the following as oils: (S)-3-((S)-1-hydroxypentyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (100 mg; 1^(st) eluting peak) and (S)-3-((R)-1-hydroxypentyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (789 mg; 2^(nd) eluting peak).

Example 7 (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2,4,5-Trifluorophenoxy)pentyl]pyrrolidine

(S)-3-(R)-1-Hydroxypentyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (40.0 mg, 155 μmol) was dissolved in DMF (100 mL, 12.9 mmol). While stirring, 60% sodium hydride in oil (0.4:0.6, sodium hydride:mineral oil, 18.6 mg, 311 μmol) was slowly added, and the mixture was stirred for 15 minutes. 1,2,4,5-Tetrafluorobenzene (52.1 μL, 466 μmol) was added. The mixture was then heated at 90° C. for 3 hours. The reaction was quenched with MeOH (1 mL), and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. 1.25M HCl in EtOH (2.0 mL, 2.5 mmol) was added, and the mixture was stirred overnight. The product was concentrated and purified by preparative HPLC to yield the title compound as a mono-TFA salt (19.2 mg, 97% purity). MS m/z: [M+H]⁺ calcd for C₁₅H₂₀F₃NO, 288.15; found 288.2.

Example 8

Following the procedures described in the examples above, and substituting the appropriate starting materials and reagents, compounds 8-1 to 8-13, having formula lid, were prepared as mono-TFA salts:

(IId)

MS m/z: [M + H]⁺ # * ** R² R³ R⁴ R⁵ R⁶ Formula calcd found 1 S R Cl H H H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 2 S R −CF₃ H H H H C₁₆H₂₂F₃NO 302.17 302.2 3 S R H H F H H C₁₅H₂₂FNO 252.17 252.2 4 S R H H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.4 5 S R H H −CF₃ H H C₁₆H₂₂F₃NO 302.17 302.2 6 S R Cl Cl H H H C₁₅H₂₁Cl₂NO 302.10 302.0 7 S R Me Cl H H H C₁₆H₂₄ClNO 282.15 282.2 8 S R Cl H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₁Cl₂NO 302.10 302.0 9 S R Cl H Me H H C₁₆H₂₄ClNO 282.15 282.4 10 S R Me H Cl H H C₁₆H₂₄ClNO 282.15 282.2 11 S R −CF₃ H Cl H H C₁₆H₂₁ClF₃NO 336.13 336.0 12 S R Cl H H H Cl C₁₅H₂₁Cl₂NO 302.10 302.0 13 S R H Cl H Cl H C₁₅H₂₁Cl₂NO 302.10 302.0 1. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2-Chlorophenoxy)pentyl]pyrrolidine 2. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2-Trifluoromethylphenoxy)pentyl]pyrrolidine 3. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Fluorophenoxy)pentyl]pyrrolidine 4. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chlorophenoxy)pentyl]pyrrolidine 5. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Trifluoromethylphenoxy)pentyl]pyrrolidine 6. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2,3-Dichlorophenoxy)pentyl]pyrrolidine 7. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(3-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)pentyl]pyrrolidine 8. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2,4-Dichlorophenoxy)pentyl]pyrrolidine 9. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2-Chloro-4-methylphenoxy)pentyl]pyrrolidine 10. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)pentyl]pyrrolidine 11. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)pentyl]pyrrolidine 12. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2,6-Dichlorophenoxy)pentyl]pyrrolidine 13. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(3,5-Dichlorophenoxy)pentyl]pyrrolidine

Preparation 5 (S)-3-((S)-1-Hydroxy-3-methylbutyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic Acid t-Butyl Ester

(S)-3-Formylpyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (6.0 g, 30.1 mmol) and THF (60 mL, 700 mmol) were combined under nitrogen, and the resulting solution was cooled to −78° C. 2.0M Isobutylmagnesium chloride in ether (18.1 mL, 36.1 mmol) was then added dropwise over 10 minutes. The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature slowly overnight. Then aqueous saturated NH₄Cl (100 mL) was added dropwise to quench the reaction. The resulting mixture was extracted with EtOAc (2×100 mL), and the combined organic layers were washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (1×100 mL) and saturated aqueous NaCl (1×100 mL), then dried over anhydrous MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was purified by column chromatography (80 g SiO₂, ethyl ether) to yield (S)-3-((S)-1-hydroxy-3-methylbutyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (1.6 g) and (S)-3-((R)-1-hydroxy-3-methylbutyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (2.2 g) as oils.

This experiment was repeated under similar conditions and the product had the following NMR.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 3.59 (ddd, J=9.8, 7.0, 2.8 Hz, 1H), 3.46 (d, J=21.5 Hz, 2H), 3.24 (td, J=10.2, 7.2 Hz, 1H), 2.97 (dd, J=22.4, 12.3 Hz, 2H), 2.25-2.09 (m, 1H), 2.08-1.97 (m, 1H), 1.90-1.65 (m, 2H), 1.46 (s, 9H), 1.43-1.36 (m, 1H), 1.17 (ddd, J=13.8, 9.8, 2.8 Hz, 1H), 0.92 (dd, J=13.7, 6.6 Hz, 6H).

Example 9 (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,3-Dichlorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine

(S)-3-((S)-1-Hydroxy-3-methylbutyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (50 mg, 0.2 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (940 μL, 12 mmol). Sodium hydride (5.6 mg, 233 mmol) was then slowly added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 minutes. 1,2-Dichloro-3-fluoro-benzene (64.1 mg, 388 μmol) was added. The mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 3 hours, then concentrated under vacuum. 1.2M HCl in EtOH (1.1 mL, 1.3 mmol) was added, and the mixture was stirred overnight. The product was concentrated and purified by preparative HPLC to yield the title compound as a mono-TFA salt (37.4 mg, 100% purity). MS m/z: [M+H]⁺ calcd for C₁₅H₂₁Cl₂NO, 302.10; found 302.2.

Example 10

Following the procedures described in the examples above, and substituting the appropriate starting materials and reagents, compounds 10-1 to 10-86, having formula IIe, were prepared as mono-TFA salts:

(IIe)

MS m/z: [M + H]⁺ # * ** R² R³ R⁴ R⁵ R⁶ Formula calcd found  1 S S F H H H H C₁₅H₂₂FNO 252.17 252.2  2 RR/SS F H H H H C₁₅H₂₂FNO 252.17 252.2  3 RR/SS Cl H H H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2  4 S S OMe H H H H C₁₆H₂₅NO₂ 264.19 264.2  5 S S H F H H H C₁₅H₂₂FNO 252.17 252.2  6 RR/SS H F H H H C₁₅H₂₂FNO 252.17 252.2  7 RR/SS H −CF₃ H H H C₁₆H₂₂F₃NO 302.17 302.2  8 S S H H F H H C₁₅H₂₂FNO 252.17 252.2  9 RR/SS H H F H H C₁₅H₂₂FNO 252.17 252.2 10 RR/SS H H Cl H H C₁₅HClNO 268.14 268.2 11 S R H H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 12 R S H H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 13 S S H H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 14 R R H H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₂ClNO 268.14 268.2 15 RR/SS H H −CF₃ H H C₁₆H₂₂F₃NO 302.17 302.2 16 S S H H −CF₃ H H C₁₆H₂₂F₃NO 302.17 302.2 17 S R H H −CF₃ H H C₁₆H₂₂F₃NO 302.17 302.2 18 S R F Cl H H H C₁₅H₂₁ClFNO 286.13 286.2 19 S S F Cl H H H C₁₅H₂₁ClFNO 286.13 286.2 20 RR/SS F −CF₃ H H H C₁₆H₂₁F₄NO 320.16 320.2 21 S S F −CF₃ H H H C₁₆H₂₁F₄NO 320.16 320.3 22 RR/SS Cl Cl H H H C₁₅H₂₁Cl₂NO 302.10 302.0 23 S R Cl Cl H H H C₁₅H₂₁Cl₂NO 302.10 302.2 24 R S Cl Cl H H H C₁₅H₂₁Cl₂NO 302.10 302.2 25 S S Cl F H H H C₁₅H₂₁ClFNO 286.13 286.0 26 RR/SS Cl F H H H C₁₅H₂₁ClFNO 286.13 286.0 27 S R Cl F H H H C₁₅H₂₁ClFNO 286.13 286.2 28 R S Cl F H H H C₁₅H₂₁ClFNO 286.13 286.2 29 RR/SS Cl −CF₃ H H H C₁₆H₂₁ClF₃NO 336.13 336.0 30 S S Cl −CF₃ H H H C₁₆H₂₁ClF₃NO 336.13 336.3 31 S R Me Cl H H H C₁₆H₂₄ClNO 282.15 282.2 32 R S Me Cl H H H C₁₆H₂₄ClNO 282.15 282.2 33 S S Me Cl H H H C₁₆H₂₄ClNO 282.15 282.2 34 S R −CF₃ Cl H H H C₁₆H₂₁ClF₃NO 336.13 336.2 35 RR/SS −CF₃ Cl H H H C₁₆H₂₁ClF₃NO 336.13 336.0 36 S S −CF₃ Cl H H H C₁₆H₂₁ClF₃NO 336.13 336.0 37 R S −CF₃ Cl H H H C₁₆H₂₁ClF₃NO 336.13 336.2 38 S S −C(O)−Me F H H H C₁₇H₂₄FNO₂ 294.18 294.2 39 RR/SS F H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₁ClFNO 286.13 286.0 40 S R F H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₁ClFNO 286.13 286.2 41 S S F H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₁ClFNO 286.13 286.1 42 S S Cl H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₁Cl₂NO 302.10 302.0 43 R S Cl H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₁Cl₂NO 302.10 302.2 44 S R Cl H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₁Cl₂NO 302.10 302.2 45 S R Me H Cl H H C₁₆H₂₄ClNO 282.15 282.2 46 R S Me H Cl H H C₁₆H₂₄ClNO 282.15 282.2 47 S S Me H Cl H H C₁₆H₂₄ClNO 282.15 282.2 48 RR/SS −CF₃ H Cl H H C₁₆H₂₁ClF₃NO 336.13 336.0 49 S S OMe H Cl H H C₁₆H₂₄ClNO₂ 298.15 298.2 50 S S OMe H H F H C₁₆H₂₄FNO₂ 282.18 282.2 51 S S Cl H H Cl H C₁₅H₂₁Cl₂NO 302.10 302.3 52 S S Cl H H H F C₁₅H₂₁ClFNO 286.13 286.0 53 RR/SS Cl H H H Cl C₁₅H₂₁Cl₂NO 302.10 302.0 54 S S Cl H H H Cl C₁₅H₂₁Cl₂NO 302.10 302.0 55 S R Cl H H H Cl C₁₅H₂₁Cl₂NO 302.10 302.2 56 R S Cl H H H Cl C₁₅H₂₁Cl₂NO 302.10 302.2 57 S S F H F F H C₁₅H₂₀F₃NO 288.15 288.2 58 RR/SS F Cl H H Cl C₁₅H₂₀Cl₂FNO 320.09 320.0 59 RR/SS F Cl H H F C₁₅H₂₀ClF₂NO 304.12 304.0 60 S S F Cl H H F C₁₅H₂₀ClF₂NO 304.12 304.2 61 S S F Cl Cl H H C₁₅H₂₀Cl₂FNO 320.09 320.2 62 RR/SS Cl F H H F C₁₅H₂₀ClF₂NO 304.12 304.0 63 S S Cl F H H F C₁₅H₂₀ClF₂NO 304.12 304.2 64 RR/SS Cl Cl H H F C₁₅H₂₀Cl₂FNO 320.09 320.0 65 S S Cl Cl H H F C₁₅H₂₀Cl₂FNO 320.09 320.2 66 RR/SS F H Cl H F C₁₅H₂₀ClF₂NO 304.12 304.0 67 S S F H Cl H F C₁₅H₂₀ClF₂NO 304.12 304.2 68 S S F F Cl H H C₁₅H₂₀ClF₂NO 304.12 304.2 69 S S Cl H H Cl F C₁₅H₂₀Cl₂FNO 320.09 320.1 70 RR/SS H F Cl H H C₁₅H₂₁ClFNO 286.13 286.2 71 S R H F Cl H H C₁₅H₂₁ClFNO 286.13 286.2 72 S S H F Cl H H C₁₅H₂₁ClFNO 286.13 286.2 73 S R H Cl Cl H H C₁₅H₂₁Cl₂NO 302.10 302.0 74 S S H Cl Cl H H C₁₅H₂₁Cl₂NO 302.10 302.2 75 S S H Me Cl H H C₁₆H₂₄ClNO 282.15 282.2 76 S R H Me Cl H H C₁₆H₂₄ClNO 282.15 282.2 77 S S H Cl H Cl H C₁₅H₂₁Cl₂NO 302.10 302.0 78 RR/SS H Cl H Cl H C₁₅H₂₁Cl₂NO 302.10 302.0 79 S R H Cl H Cl H C₁₅H₂₁Cl₂NO 302.10 302.2 80 R S H Cl H Cl H C₁₅H₂₁Cl₂NO 302.10 302.2 81 S S H Cl H F H C₁₅H₂₁ClFNO 286.13 286.3 82 RR/SS H Cl H F H C₁₅H₂₁ClFNO 286.13 286.0 83 S R H Cl H F H C₁₅H₂₁ClFNO 286.13 286.2 84 RR/SS Cl F H F Cl C₁₅H₁₉Cl₂F₂NO 338.08 338.0 85 S S Cl F H F Cl C₁₅H₁₉Cl₂F₂NO 338.08 338.3 86 S S Cl F H F F C₁₅H₁₉ClF₃NO 322.11 322.2 1. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 2. 3-[1-(2-Fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 3. 3-[1-(2-Chlorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 4. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Methoxyphenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 5. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 6. 3-[1-(3-Fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 7. 3-[3-Methyl-1-(3-trifluoromethylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 8. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 9. 3-[1-(4-Fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 10. 3-[1-(4-Chlorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 11. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chlorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 12. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chlorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 13. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chlorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 14. (R)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chlorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 15. 3-[3-Methyl-1-(4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 16. (S)-3-[(S)-3-Methyl-1-(4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 17. (S)-3-[(R)-3-Methyl-1-(4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 18. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(3-Chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 19. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 20. 3-[1-(2-Fluoro-3-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 21. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Fluoro-3-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 22. 3-[1-(2,3-Dichlorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 23. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2,3-Dichlorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 24. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(2,3-Dichlorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 25. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Chloro-3-fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 26. 3-[1-(3-Fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 27. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2-Chloro-3-fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 28. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Chloro-3-fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 29. 3-[1-(2-Chloro-3-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 30. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Chloro-3-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 31. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(3-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 32. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 33. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 34. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(3-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 35. 3-[1-(3-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 36. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 37. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 38. 1-[2-Fluoro-6-((S)-3-methyl-1-(S)-pyrrolidin-3-yl-butoxy)phenyl]ethanone 39. 3-[1-(4-Chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 40. (S)-3-1(R)-1-(4-Chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 41. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 42. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,4-Dichlorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 43. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(2,4-Dichlorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 44. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2,4-Dichlorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 45. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 46. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 47. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 48. 3-[1-(4-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 49. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-2-methoxyphenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 50. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(5-Fluoro-2-methoxyphenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 51. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,5-Dichlorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 52. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Chloro-6-fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 53. 3-[1-(2,6-Dichlorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 54. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,6-Dichlorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 55. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2,6-Dichlorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 56. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(2,6-Dichlorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 57. (S)-3-[(S)-3-Methyl-1-(2,4,5-trifluorophenoxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 58. 3-[1-(3,6-Dichloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 59. 3-[1-(3-Chloro-2,6-difluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 60. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chloro-2,6-difluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 61. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3,4-Dichloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 62. 3-[1-(2-Chloro-3,6-difluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 63. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Chloro-3,6-difluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 64. 3-[1-(2,3-Dichloro-6-fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 65. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,3-Dichloro-6-fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 66. 3-[1-(4-Chloro-2,6-difluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 67. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-2,6-difluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 68. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-2,3-difluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 69. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3,6-Dichloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 70. 3-[1-(4-Chloro-3-fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 71. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chloro-3-fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 72. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-3-fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 73. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 74. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3,4-Dichlorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 75. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chloro-3-methylphenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 76. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chloro-3-methylphenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 77. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3,5-Dichlorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 78. 3-[1-(3,5-Dichlorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 79. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(3,5-Dichlorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 80. (R)-3-[(S)-1-(3,5-Dichlorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 81. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chloro-5-fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 82. 3-[1-(3-Chloro-5-fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 83. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(3-Chloro-5-fluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 84. 3-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-3,5-difluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 85. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,6-Dichloro-3,5-difluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine 86. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2-Chloro-3,5,6-trifluorophenoxy)-3-methylbutyl]pyrrolidine

Preparation 6 (S)-3-(R)-2-Ethyl-1-hydroxybutyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic Acid t-Butyl Ester

(S)-3-Formylpyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (0.8 g, 3.8 mmol;) and THF (8 mL, 90 mmol) were combined under nitrogen, and the resulting solution was cooled to −78° C. 2M 3-Pentylmagnesium bromide in ether (4.70 mL, 9.4 mmol) was then added dropwise over 1 hour. The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature slowly overnight. Then aqueous saturated NH₄Cl (5 mL) was added dropwise to quench the reaction. The resulting mixture was extracted with EtOAc (2×25 mL), and the combined organic layers were washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (25 mL) and saturated aqueous NaCl (25 mL), then dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography (5-25% EtOAc in Hexanes) to yield the following as clear oils:

(S)-3-(R)-2-ethyl-1-hydroxybutyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (48 mg, 2^(nd) eluting peak). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 3.59-3.55 (m, 1H), 3.49-3.44 (m, 2H), 3.26-3.23 (m, 1H), 3.14-3.08 (m, 1H), 2.46-2.38 (m, 1H), 1.89-1.82 (m, 1H), 1.62-1.53 (m, 2H), 1.46 (s, 9H), 1.44-1.39 (m, 2H), 1.26-1.15 (m, 2H), 0.95-0.90 (m, 6H).

(S)-3-((S)-2-ethyl-1-hydroxybutyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (28 mg, 1^(st) eluting peak). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 3.51-3.43 (m, 2H), 3.39-3.34 (m, 1H), 3.27-3.20 (m, 1H), 2.97-2.89 (m, 1H), 2.42-2.34 (m, 1H), 2.09-2.03 (m, 1H), 1.76-1.68 (m, 1H), 1.61-1.54 (m, 1H), 1.46 (s, 9H) 1.45-1.40 (2H, m), 1.29-1.23 (m, 1H), 1.10-1.04 (m, 1H), 0.95-0.90 (m, 6H).

Example 11 (S)-3-[(R)-1-(2,3-Dichlorophenoxy)-2-ethylbutyl]pyrrolidine

(S)-3-(R)-2-Ethyl-1-hydroxybutyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (28 mg, 0.1 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (380 μL, 4.9 mmol). 60% Sodium hydride in oil (0.4:0.6, sodium hydride:mineral oil, 18.6 mg, 310 μmol) was slowly added, and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 minutes. 1,2-Dichloro-3-fluorobenzene (23.8 μL, 206 μmol) was added and the mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 3 hours. The mixture was concentrated, treated with 1.25M HCl in EtOH (578 μL, 722 μmol), then stirred overnight at room temperature. The product was concentrated under vacuum, redissolved in 1:1 AcOH:H₂O, filtered, and purified by preparative HPLC to yield the title compound as a mono-TFA salt (5.3 mg, 97% purity). MS m/z: [M+H]⁺ calcd for C₁₆H₂₃Cl₂NO, 316.12; found 316.3.

Example 12

Following the procedures described in the examples above, and substituting the appropriate starting materials and reagents, compound 12-1, having formula IIf, was also prepared as a mono-TFA salt:

(IIf)

MS m/z: [M + H]⁺ # * ** R² R³ R⁴ R⁵ R⁶ Formula calcd found 1 S S Cl Cl H H H C₁₆H₂₃Cl₂NO 316.12 316.2 1. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(2,3-Dichlorophenoxy)-2-ethylbutyl]pyrrolidine

Example 13 (S)-3-[(S)-1-(Naphthalen-1-yloxy)propyl]pyrrolidine

(S)-3-((S)-1-Hydroxypropyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (500 mg, 2.2 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (8.0 mL, 100 mmol). 60:40 NaH:Mineral Oil (262 mg, 6.5 mmol) was added carefully in three separate portions and then stirred for 15 minutes. The mixture was then treated with 2-fluoronaphthalene (562 μL, 4.4 mmol) and stirred at 70° C. for 3 hours. The mixture was cooled to room temperature. An additional 200 mg of 60% NaH:mineral oil was added and the mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 14 hours. The reaction was quenched with MeOH until bubbling ceased. The mixture was concentrated and the BOC-intermediate was purified by silica gel chromatography (0-30% EtOAc in Hexanes). The purified material was then treated with 1.25 M of HCl in EtOH (12.2 mL, 15.3 mmol) and stirred overnight at room temperature. The mixture was concentrated and placed on high vacuum to yield the title compound as an oily compound (mono-HCl salt; 242 mg). MS m/z: [M+H]⁺ calcd for C₁₇H₂₁NO, 256.16; found 256.2.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ 8.94 (s, 2H), 8.22-8.14 (m, 1H), 7.90-7.83 (m, 1H), 7.56-7.36 (m, 4H), 7.06 (d, J=7.1 Hz, 1H), 4.70 (d, J=5.6 Hz, 1H), 3.39-3.33 (m, 1H), 3.20-31.5 (m, 2H), 2.99-2.84 (m, 1H), 2.76-2.71 (m, 1H), 2.12-2.08 (m, 1H), 1.98-1.88 (m, 1H), 1.80-1.69 (m, 2H), 0.91 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 3H).

Example 14

Following the procedures described in the examples above, and substituting the appropriate starting materials and reagents, compounds 14-1 to 14-9, having formula VIa, were also prepared as mono-TFA salts:

(XIa)

MS m/z: [M + H]⁺ # * ** R¹ Formula calcd found 1 S R ethyl C₁₇H₂₁NO 256.16 256.2 2 S R propyl C₁₈H₂₃NO 270.18 270.2 3 S S propyl C₁₈H₂₃NO 270.18 270.2 4 R S isopropyl C₁₈H₂₃NO 270.18 270.2 5 S S isopropyl C₁₈H₂₃NO 270.18 270.2 6 S R isopropyl C₁₈H₂₃NO 270.18 270.2 7 R R isopropyl C₁₈H₂₃NO 270.18 270.2 8 S S isobutyl C₁₉H₂₅NO 284.19 284.2 9 S R isobutyl C₁₉H₂₅NO 284.19 284.2 1. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(Naphthalen-1-yloxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 2. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(Naphthalen-1-yloxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 3. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(Naphthalen-1-yloxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 4. (R)-3-[(S)-2-Methyl-1-(naphthalen-1-yloxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 5. (S)-3-[(S)-2-Methyl-1-(naphthalen-1-yloxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 6. (S)-3-[(R)-2-Methyl-1-(naphthalen-1-yloxy)propyl]pyrrolidline 7. (R)-3-[(R)-2-Methyl-1-(naphthalen-1-yloxy)propyl]pyrrolidine 8. (S)-3-[(S)-3-Methyl-1-(naphthalen-1-yloxy)butyl]pyrrolidine 9. (S)-3-[(R)-3-Methyl-1-(naphthalen-1-yloxy)butyl]pyrrolidine

Preparation 7 (S)-3-((R)-Cyclopropylhydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic Acid t-Butyl Ester and (S)-3-((S)-cyclopropylhydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic Acid t-Butyl Ester

(S)-3-Formyl-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (1.0 g, 5 mmol) and THF (10 mL, 100 mmol) were combined under nitrogen, and the resulting solution was cooled to −78° C. 0.5M Cyclopropylmagnesium bromide in THF (15 mL, 7.5 mmol) was then added dropwise over 10 minutes. The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature slowly overnight. Then aqueous saturated NH₄Cl (30 mL) was added dropwise to quench the reaction. The resulting mixture was extracted with EtOAc (2×30 mL), and the combined organic layers were washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (1×30 mL) and saturated aqueous NaCl (1×30 mL), then dried over anhydrous MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was purified by preparative HPLC (15-55% MeCN:H₂O+0.05% TFA over 80 minutes) on a 2″ column to yield (S)-3-((R)-cyclopropylhydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (520 mg, 2^(nd) eluting peak) and (S)-3-((S)-cyclopropylhydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (418 mg, 1^(st) eluting peak). The lyophilized solids were dissolved in EtOAc and washed with saturated aqueous NH₄CO₃, the organics were separated, dried over Na₂SO₄ and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure.

For the (S,S) compound (1^(st) eluting peak): ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 3.69-3.48 (m, 3H), 3.48-2.98 (m, 6H), 2.87-2.65 (m, 2H), 2.63-2.16 (m, 2H), 2.16-1.88 (m, 2H), 1.80-1.64 (m, 5H), 1.47 (s, 20H), 1.01-0.86 (m, 2H), 0.68-0.35 (m, 4H), 0.35-0.20 (m, 4H).

For the (S,R) compound (2^(nd) eluting peak): ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 3.71-3.39 (m, 1H), 3.35-3.12 (m, 1H), 2.88-2.70 (m, 1H), 2.39 (dd, J=15.3, 8.9 Hz, 1H), 2.05-1.91 (m, 1H), 1.84-1.64 (m, 1H), 1.46 (s, 4H), 1.01-0.87 (m, 1H), 0.67-0.46 (m, 1H), 0.27 (d, J=19.2 Hz, 1H).

Example 15 (S)-3-[(R)-(3-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine

(S)-3-((R)-Cyclopropylhydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (1.0 g, 4.1 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (15 mL, 200 mmol). Washed and dried sodium hydride (298 mg, 12.4 mmol) was added carefully in three separate portions and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 minutes. 2-Chloro-6-fluorotoluene (749 μL, 6.2 mmol) was added, and the mixture was stirred overnight at 70° C. The mixture was concentrated and the BOC-protected intermediate was purified by silica gel chromatography (0-10% EtOAc in hexanes for 10 minutes, 10-50% in 10 minutes) and the desired fractions were isolated and concentrated. The crude material was then treated with 1.25M HCl in EtOH (23.2 mL, 29.0 mmol) and stirred overnight at room temperature. The product was concentrated under vacuum and purified by preparative HPLC to yield the title compound as a mono-TFA salt (240 mg, 99.4% purity). MS m/z: [M+H]⁺ calcd for C₁₅H₂₀ClNO, 266.12; found 266.0.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ 9.14 (s, 2H), 7.15 (t, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.08-7.01 (m, 2H), 4.04 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 3.42-3.32 (m, 1H), 3.29-3.20 (m, 1H), 3.19-3.09 (m, 1H), 3.08-2.98 (m, 1H), 2.74-2.63 (m, 1H), 2.24 (s, 3H), 2.13-2.01 (m, 1H), 1.86-1.73 (m, 1H), 1.11-1.01 (m, 1H), 0.52-0.44 (m, 1H), 0.43-0.35 (m, 1H), 0.27-0.20 (m, 1H), 0.19-0.11 (m, 1H).

Example 16

Following the procedures described in the examples above, and substituting the appropriate starting materials and reagents, compounds 16-1 to 16-104, having formula IIIa, were also prepared as mono-TFA salts:

(IIIa)

MS m/z: [M + H]⁺ # * ** R² R³ R⁴ R⁵ R⁶ Formula calcd found 1 S S Cl H H H H C₁₄H₁₈ClNO 252.11 252.2 2 S R Cl H H H H C₁₄H₁₈ClNO 252.11 252.2 3 S S Me H H H H C₁₅H₂₁NO 232.16 232.2 4 S R SMe H H H H C₁₅H₂₁NOS 264.13 264.0 5 S S SMe H H H H C₁₅H₂₁NOS 264.13 264.0 6 R S Cl Cl H H H C₁₄H₁₇Cl₂NO 286.07 286.0 7 S R Cl Cl H H H C₁₄H₁₇Cl₂NO 286.07 286.0 8 S S Cl Cl H H H C₁₄H₁₇Cl₂NO 286.07 286.0 9 S S Cl F H H H C₁₄H₁₇ClFNO 270.10 270.0 10 S R Cl F H H H C₁₄H₁₇ClFNO 270.10 270.0 11 S S F Cl H H H C₁₄H₁₇ClFNO 270.10 270.0 12 S S Me Me H H H C₁₆H₂₃NO 246.18 246.2 13 R S Me Cl H H H C₁₅H₂₀ClNO 266.12 266.0 14 R R Me Cl H H H C₁₅H₂₀ClNO 266.12 266.0 15 S S Me Cl H H H C₁₅H₂₀ClNO 266.12 266.0 16 S S −CF₃ Cl H H H C₁₅H₁₇ClF₃NO 320.10 320.2 17 S R −CF₃ Cl H H H C₁₅H₁₇ClF₃NO 320.10 320.2 18 S S OMe Cl H H H C₁₅H₂₀ClNO₂ 282.12 282.2 19 S S Cl H Cl H H C₁₄H₁₇Cl₂NO 286.07 286.0 20 S R Cl H Cl H H C₁₄H₁₇Cl₂NO 286.07 286.0 21 R R Cl H Cl H H C₁₄H₁₇Cl₂NO 286.07 286.0 22 S S Cl H F H H C₁₄H₁₇ClFNO 270.10 270.0 23 S S Cl H Me H H C₁₅H₂₀ClNO 266.12 266.0 24 R R Cl H Me H H C₁₅H₂₀ClNO 266.12 266.0 25 S S Br H Me H H C₁₅H₂₀BrNO 310.07 310.0 26 R R Br H Me H H C₁₅H₂₀BrNO 310.07 310.0 27 R R Me H Me H H C₁₆H₂₃NO 246.18 246.2 28 S S Me H Me H H C₁₆H₂₃NO 246.18 246.2 29 S S Me H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₀ClNO 266.12 266.0 30 S R Me H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₀ClNO 266.12 266.0 31 R S Me H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₀ClNO 266.12 266.0 32 R R Me H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₀ClNO 266.12 266.0 33 S R Et H F H H C₁₆H₂₂FNO 264.17 264.2 34 S S Et H F H H C₁₆H₂₂FNO 264.17 264.2 35 S S −CF₃ H Cl H H C₁₅H₁₇ClF₃NO 320.10 320.0 36 R R −CF₃ H Cl H H C₁₅H₁₇ClF₃NO 320.10 320.0 37 S S OMe H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₀ClNO₂ 282.12 282.0 38 S R OMe H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₀ClNO₂ 282.12 282.0 39 S R OMe H F H H C₁₅H₂₀FNO₂ 266.15 266.2 40 S S OMe H F H H C₁₅H₂₀FNO₂ 266.15 266.2 41 S S OEt H Cl H H C₁₆H₂₂ClNO₂ 296.13 296.2 42 S R OEt H Cl H H C₁₆H₂₂ClNO₂ 296.13 296.2 43 S S cyclohexyl H Cl H H C₂₀H₂₈ClNO 334.19 334.2 44 S S Cl H H H Cl C₁₄H₁₇Cl₂NO 286.07 286.0 45 S S Cl H H H Me C₁₅H₂₀ClNO 266.12 266.0 46 S S F F F H H C₁₄H₁₆F₃NO 272.12 272.0 47 S R F F F H H C₁₄H₁₆F₃NO 272.12 272.2 48 S S F F Cl H H C₁₄H₁₆ClF₂NO 288.09 288.2 49 S R F F Cl H H C₁₄H₁₆ClF₂NO 288.09 288.2 50 S S F F Me H H C₁₅H₁₉F₂NO 268.14 268.2 51 S R F F Me H H C₁₅H₁₉F₂NO 268.14 268.2 52 S S Cl F Cl H H C₁₄H₁₆Cl₂FNO 304.06 304.0 53 S S F Cl F H H C₁₄H₁₆ClF₂NO 288.09 288.2 54 S S F OMe F H H C₁₅H₁₉F₂NO₂ 284.14 284.2 55 S S OMe Cl Cl H H C₁₅H₁₉Cl₂NO₂ 316.08 316.0 56 S R OMe Cl Cl H H C₁₅H₁₉Cl₂NO₂ 316.08 316.0 57 S S Cl F H Cl H C₁₄H₁₆Cl₂FNO 304.06 304.0 58 S S Cl Cl H H Cl C₁₄H₁₆Cl₃NO 320.03 320.0 59 S S Cl Cl H H F C₁₄H₁₆Cl₂FNO 304.06 304.0 60 S R Cl Cl H H F C₁₄H₁₆Cl₂FNO 304.06 304.0 61 S S Cl F H H F C₁₄H₁₆ClF₂NO 288.09 288.0 62 S S Cl Me H H F C₁₅H₁₉ClFNO 284.11 284.2 63 S R Cl Me H H F C₁₅H₁₉ClFNO 284.11 284.2 64 S S Cl OMe H H F C₁₅H₁₉ClFNO₂ 300.11 300.2 65 S R Cl OMe H H F C₁₅H₁₉ClFNO₂ 300.11 300.2 66 S S F Cl H H F C₁₄H₁₆ClF₂NO 288.09 288.0 67 S R F Cl H H F C₁₄H₁₆ClF₂NO 288.09 288.0 68 S S F Me H H Cl C₁₅H₁₉ClFNO 284.11 284.2 69 S R F Me H H Cl C₁₅H₁₉ClFNO 284.11 284.2 70 S S F OMe H H Cl C₁₅H₁₉ClFNO₂ 300.11 300.2 71 S S Cl H Cl Cl H C₁₄H₁₆Cl₃NO 320.03 320.0 72 S S Cl H Cl Me H C₁₅H₁₉Cl₂NO 300.08 300.0 73 S R Cl H Cl Me H C₁₅H₁₉Cl₂NO 300.08 300.0 74 S S OMe H Cl F H C₁₅H₁₉ClFNO₂ 300.11 300.2 75 S S Cl H Cl H F C₁₄H₁₆Cl₂FNO 304.06 304.0 76 S R Cl H Cl H F C₁₄H₁₆Cl₂FNO 304.06 304.0 77 S S Cl H Cl H Me C₁₅H₁₉Cl₂NO 300.08 300.0 78 S R Cl H Cl H Me C₁₅H₁₉Cl₂NO 300.08 300.0 79 S S F H Cl H F C₁₄H₁₆ClF₂NO 288.09 288.2 80 S R F H Cl H F C₁₄H₁₆ClF₂NO 288.09 288.0 81 S S F H F H Et C₁₆H₂₁F₂NO 282.16 282.2 82 S S Me H Cl H Me C₁₆H₂₂ClNO 280.14 280.0 83 S S Cl Me Cl Me H C₁₆H₂₁Cl₂NO 314.10 314.2 84 S S H Cl H H H C₁₄H₁₈ClNO 252.11 252.2 85 S R H Cl H H H C₁₄H₁₈ClNO 252.11 252.2 86 S S H SMe H H H C₁₅H₂₁NOS 264.13 264.2 87 S S H Cl Cl H H C₁₄H₁₇Cl₂NO 286.07 286.0 88 S R H Cl Cl H H C₁₄H₁₇Cl₂NO 286.07 286.0 89 S S H Cl F H H C₁₄H₁₇ClFNO 270.10 270.0 90 R R H Cl F H H C₁₄H₁₇ClFNO 270.10 270.0 91 S R H F Cl H H C₁₄H₁₇ClFNO 270.10 270.0 92 R R H F Cl H H C₁₄H₁₇ClFNO 270.10 270.0 93 S S H F Cl H H C₁₄H₁₇ClFNO 270.10 270.0 94 S S H Me Cl H H C₁₅H₂₀ClNO 266.12 266.2 95 S R H Me Cl H H C₁₅H₂₀ClNO 266.12 266.2 96 S S H Cl H Cl H C₁₄H₁₇Cl₂NO 286.07 286.0 97 S R H Cl H Cl H C₁₄H₁₇Cl₂NO 286.07 286.0 98 S S H Cl H F H C₁₄H₁₇ClFNO 270.10 270.0 99 S R H Cl H F H C₁₄H₁₇ClFNO 270.10 270.0 100 S S H Cl H OMe H C₁₅H₂₀ClNO₂ 282.12 282.2 101 S S H Me Cl Me H C₁₆H₂₂ClNO 280.14 280.0 102 S R H H Cl H H C₁₄H₁₈ClNO 252.11 252.0 103 S S H H Cl H H C₁₄H₁₈ClNO 252.11 252.2 104 S S H H −CF₃ H H C₁₅H₁₈F₃NO 286.13 286.2 1. (S)-3-[(S)-(2-Chlorophenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 2. (S)-3-[(R)-(2-Chlorophenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 3. (S)-3-((S)cyclopropyl-o-tolyloxymethyl)pyrrolidine 4. (S)-3-[(R)cyclopropyl-(2-methylsulfanylphenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 5. (S)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(2-methylsulfanylphenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 6. (R)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(2,3-dichlorophenoxy)methyllpyrrolidine 7. (S)-3-[(R)cyclopropyl-(2,3-dichlorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 8. (S)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(2,3-dichlorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 9. (S)-3-[(S)-(2-Chloro-3-fluorophenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 10. (S)-3-[(R)-(2-Chloro-3-fluorophenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 11. (S)-3-[(S)-(3-Chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 12. (S)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(2,3-dimethylphenoxy)-methyl]pyrrolidine 13. (R)-3-[(S)-(3-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 14. (R)-3-[(R)-(3-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 15. (S)-3-[(S)-(3-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 16. (S)-3-[(S)-(3-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 17. (S)-3-[(R)-(3-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 18. (S)-3-[(S)-(3-Chloro-2-methoxyphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 19. (S)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 20. (S)-3-[(R)cyclopropyl-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 21. (R)-3-[(R)cyclopropyl-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 22. (S)-3-[(S)-(2-Chloro-4-fluorophenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 23. (S)-3-[(S)-(2-Chloro-4-methylphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 24. (R)-3-[(R)-(2-Chloro-4-methylphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyllpyrrolidine 25. (S)-3-[(S)-(2-Bromo-4-methylphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 26. (R)-3-[(R)-(2-Bromo-4-methylphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 27. (R)-3-[(R)cyclopropyl-(2,4-dimethylphenoxy)-methyl]pyrrolidinc 28. (S)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(2,4-dimethylphenoxy)-methyl]pyrrolidine 29. (S)-3-[(S)-(4-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 30. (S)-3-[(R)-(4-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 31. (R)-3-[(S)-(4-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 32. (R)-3-[(R)-(4-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 33. (S)-3-[(R)cyclopropyl-(2-ethyl-4-fluorophenoxy)-methyl]pyrrolidine 34. (S)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(2-ethyl-4-fluorophenoxy)-methyl]pyrrolidine 35. (S)-3-[(S)-(4-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 36. (R)-3-[(R)-(4-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 37. (S)-3-[(S)-(4-Ch1oro-2-methoxyphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 38. (S)-3-[(R)-(4-Chloro-2-methoxyphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 39. (S)-3-[(R)cyclopropyl-(4-fluoro-2-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 40. (S)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(4-fluoro-2-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 41. (S)-3-[(S)-(4-Chloro-2-ethoxyphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 42. (S)-3-[(R)-(4-Chloro-2-ethoxyphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 43. (S)-3-[(S)-(4-Chloro-2-cyclohexylphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 44. (S)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(2,6-dichlorophenoxy)-methyl]pyrrolidine 45. (S)-3-[(S)-(2-Chloro-6-methylphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 46. (S)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(2,3,4-trifluorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 47. (S)-3-[(R)cyclopropyl-(2,3,4-trifluorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 48. (S)-3-[(S)-(4-Chloro-2,3-difluorophenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 49. (S)-3-[(R)-(4-Chloro-2,3-difluorophenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 50. (S)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(2,3-difluoro-4-methylphenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 51. (S)-3-[(R)cyclopropyl-(2,3-difluoro-4-methylphenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 52. (S)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(2,4-dichloro-3-fluorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 53. (S)-3-[(S)-(3-Chloro-2,4-difluorophenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 54. (S)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(2,4-difluoro-3-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 55. (S)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(3,4-dichloro-2-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 56. (S)-3-[(R)cyclopropyl-(3,4-dichloro-2-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 57. (S)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(2,5-dichloro-3-fluorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 58. (S)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(2,3,6-trichlorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 59. (S)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(2,3-dichloro-6-fluorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 60. (S)-3-[(R)cyclopropyl-(2,3-dichloro-6-fluorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 61. (S)-3-[(S)-(2-Chloro-3,6-difluorophenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 62. (S)-3-[(S)-(2-Chloro-6-fluoro-3-methylphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 63. (S)-3-[(R)-(2-Chloro-6-fluoro-3-methylphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 64. (S)-3-[(S)-(2-Chloro-6-fluoro-3-methoxyphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 65. (S)-3-[(R)-(2-Chloro-6-fluoro-3-methoxyphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 66. (S)-3-[(S)-(3-Chloro-2,6-difluorophenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 67. (S)-3-[(R)-(3-Chloro-2,6-difluorophenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 68. (S)-3-[(S)-(6-Chloro-2-fluoro-3-methylphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 69. (S)-3-[(R)-(6-Chloro-2-fluoro-3-methylphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 70. (S)-3-[(S)-(6-Chloro-2-fluoro-3-methoxyphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 71. (S)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 72. (S)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(2,4-dichloro-5-methylphenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 73. (S)-3-[(R)cyclopropyl-(2,4-dichloro-5-methylphenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 74. (S)-3-[(S)-(4-Chloro-5-fluoro-2-methoxyphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 75. (S)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(2,4-dichloro-6-fluorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 76. (S)-3-[(R)cyclopropyl-(2,4-dichloro-6-fluorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 77. (S)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(2,4-dichloro-6-methylphenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 78. (S)-3-[(R)cyclopropyl-(2,4-dichloro-6-methylphenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 79. (S)-3-[(S)-(4-Chloro-2,6-difluorophenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 80. (S)-3-[(R)-(4-Chloro-2,6-difluorophenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 81. (S)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(2-ethy1-4,6-difluorophenoxy)-methyl]pyrrolidine 82. (S)-3-[(S)-(4-Chloro-2,6-dimethylphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 83. (S)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(2,4-dichloro-3,5-dimethylphenoxy)-methyl]pyrrolidine 84. (S)-3-[(S)-(3-Chlorophenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 85. (S)-3-[(R)-(3-Chlorophenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 86. (S)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(3-methylsulfanylphenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 87. (S)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 88. (S)-3-[(R)cyclopropyl-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 89. (S)-3-[(S)-(3-Chloro-4-fluorophenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 90. (R)-3-[(R)-(3-Chloro-4-fluorophenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 91. (S)-3-[(R)-(4-Chloro-3-fluorophenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 92. (R)-3-[(R)-(4-Chloro-3-fluorophenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 93. (S)-3-[(S)-(4-Chloro-3-fluorophenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 94. (S)-3-[(S)-(4-Chloro-3-methylphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 95. (S)-3-[(R)-(4-Chloro-3-methylphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 96. (S)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 97. (S)-3-[(R)cyclopropyl-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 98. (S)-3-[(S)-(3-Chloro-5-fluorophenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 99. (S)-3-[(R)-(3-Chloro-5-fluorophenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 100. (S)-3-[(S)-(3-Chloro-5-methoxyphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 101. (S)-3-[(S)-(4-Chloro-3,5-dimethylphenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 102. (S)-3-[(R)-(4-Chlorophenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 103. (S)-3-[(S)-(4-Chlorophenoxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine 104. (S)-3-[(S)cyclopropyl-(4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine

Preparation 8 3-(Cyclopentylhydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic Acid t-Butyl Ester

2-Oxopyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (9.3 g, 50.4 mmol) was dissolved in THF (60 mL, 800 mmol) under nitrogen and was then cooled at −78° C. 2M Lithium diisopropylamide in heptane/THF/ethylbenzene (34 mL) was added over 40 minutes, and the resulting mixture was stirred for 1.5 hours at −78° C. Cyclopentanecarbonyl chloride (6.1 mL, 50 mmol) was dissolved in THF (4.0 mL, 49 mmol) and slowly added dropwise via syringe to the mixture over 30 minutes, then stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction was quenched with saturated aqueous NH₄Cl (50 mL) and the mixture stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc (200 mL). The organic layer was washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (2×75 mL), then saturated aqueous NaCl. The aqueous layers were combined and re-extracted with EtOAc (75 mL). The organic layers were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The material was then placed on high vacuum for 10 minutes to yield a crude oil. The oil was dissolved in 50% AcOH/H₂O and purified by preparative HPLC (10-70% MeCN/H₂O; 0.05% TFA; over 80 minutes on a 2″ column at 40 mL/min). The fractions were collected and lyophilized to yield 3-cyclopentanecarbonyl-2-oxopyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (6 g) as a yellow solid. MS m/z: [M+H]⁺ calcd for C₁₅H₂₃NO₄, 281.3; found 282.2.

3-Cyclopentanecarbonyl-2-oxopyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (1.2 g, 4.4 mmol) was dissolved in THF (3.5 mL, 43.7 mmol) under nitrogen. 2M BH₃.Me₂S in THF (6.6 mL, 13.1 mmol) was added via syringe over 15 minutes. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour, then heated at 65° C. for 24 hours. After an additional 48 hours, the mixture was placed on an ice bath and the reaction slowly quenched with cold MeOH (100 mL). The mixture was stirred for 15 minutes, then diluted with EtOAc (30 mL), and washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (2×50 mL). The organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated by rotary evaporation to yield a yellow oil (300 mg). The oil was purified by preparative HPLC (2″ column; 5-50% MeCN/H₂O; 0.1% TFA buffer; at 40 mL/min over 80 minutes). The desired fractions were collected, frozen and lyophilized to yield the title compound (939 mg). MS m/z: [M+H]⁺ calcd for C₁₅H₂₇NO₃, 269.3; found 270.4.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 3.60-3.50 (m, 4H), 3.40 (t, 1H), 2.00-1.59 (m, 1H), 1.58-1.56 (m, 11H), 1.50 (s, 9H).

Example 17 3-[(2-Chloro-4-methylphenoxy)cyclopentylmethyl]pyrrolidine

3-(Cyclopentylhydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (94 mg, 35 μmol) was dissolved in DMF (1.1 mL, 14 mmol). 60% sodium hydride in oil (60:40, sodium hydride:mineral oil, 17 mg, 420 μmol) was added, and the mixture stirred for 15 minutes, at room temperature. 3-chloro-4-fluorotoluene (130 μL, 1.0 mmol) was added, and the mixture was heated at 90° C. for 24 hours. The reaction was quenched with MeOH (1 mL) and DMF/MeOH was removed under vacuum. The solids were filtered off and then deprotected using 1.25M HCl in EtOH (1.0 mL, 1.3 mmol). The mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature.

The crude product was dissolved in 1:1 AcOH:H₂O (1.4 mL), filtered, and purified by preparative HPLC to yield the title compound as a mixture of all 4 stereoisomers (R,R, R,S, S,S, and S,R) as mono-TFA salts (4.2 mg, 100% purity). MS m/z: [M+H]⁺ calcd for C₁₇H₂₄ClNO, 294.15; found 294.2.

Example 18

Following the procedures described in the examples above, and substituting the appropriate starting materials and reagents, compounds 18-1 to 18-12, having formula Mb, were also prepared as mono-TFA salts:

(IIIb)

MS m/z: [M + H]⁺ # * ** R² R³ R⁴ R⁵ R⁶ Formula calcd found 1 mixture Cl Cl H H H C₁₆H₂₁C_(l2)NO 314.10 314.0 2 SR/RS −CF₃ Cl H H H C₁₇H₂₁ClF₃NO 348.13 348.2 3 SS/RR −CF₃ Cl H H H C₁₇H₂₁ClF₃NO 348.13 348.2 4 SR/RS Cl H Cl H H C₁₆H₂₁Cl₂NO 314.10 314.0 5 SS/RR Cl H Cl H H C₁₆H₂₁Cl₂NO 314.10 314.0 6 SR/RS Cl H Me H H C₁₇H₂₄ClNO 294.15 294.2 7 mixture Me H Cl H H C₁₇H₂₄ClNO 294.15 294.2 8 mixture Cl H H H Cl C₁₆H₂₁Cl₂NO 314.10 314.0 9 SR/RS H Cl H Cl H C₁₆H₂₁Cl₂NO 314.10 314.0 10 SS/RR H Cl H Cl H C₁₆H₂₁Cl₂NO 314.10 314.0 11 mixture H H Cl H H C₁₆H₂₂ClNO 280.14 280.2 12 mixture H H F H H C₁₆H₂₂FNO 264.17 264.2 Some products were obtained as “mixtures” of all four stereoisomers: R,R, R,S, S,S, and S,R. Some products were separated purified by preparative HPLC, with the 2^(nd) peak being designated the SS/RR mixture of enantiomers. 1. 3-[Cyclopentyl-(2,3-dichlorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 2. 3-[(3-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)cyclopentylmethyl]pyrrolidine 3. 3-[(3-Chloro-2-trifluoromethylphenoxy)cyclopentylmethyl]pyrrolidine 4. 3-[Cyclopentyl-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 5. 3-[Cyclopentyl-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 6. 3-[(2-Chloro-4-methylphenoxy)cyclopentylmethyl]pyrrolidine 7. 3-[(4-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)cyclopentylmethyl]pyrrolidine 8. 3-[Cyclopentyl-(2,6-dichlorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 9. 3-[Cyclopentyl-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 10. 3-[Cyclopentyl-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 11. 3-[(4-Chlorophenoxy)cyclopentylmethyl]pyrrolidine 12. 3-[Cyclopentyl-(4-fluorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine

Preparation 9 (S)-3-((R)-Cyclohexylhydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic Acid t-Butyl Ester

(S)-3-Formylpyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (2.8 g, 13.8 mmol) was dissolved in THF (50 mL) under nitrogen and cooled at −78° C. Cyclohexylmagnesium chloride (2.0M in ether; 10.0 mL, 20.0 mmol, 1.4 eq) was added via syringe over approximately 10 minutes. The resulting mixture was stirred at −78° C. for 20 minutes, then placed in an ice bath for 30 minutes. The reaction was quenched with saturated aqueous NH₄Cl (15 mL). THF was removed under reduced pressure, and the remaining material was extracted with EtOAc (3×30 mL). The organics were washed with water (25 mL) and saturated aqueous NaCl (25 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, and concentrated to yield the crude product. This material was dissolved in MeCN (10 mL), water (8 mL), and MeOH (11 mL). The material was purified by preparative HPLC in 3 portions (2″ C18 column; 20-50% MeCN over 1 hour; the desired compound was recovered at ˜46%). The fractions were collected from the first eluting and second eluting, separately, and the MeCN was removed. Each fraction was extracted with DCM (3×125 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, and concentrated to yield (S)-3-((S)-cyclohexylhydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (1.1 g; 1^(st) eluting peak) and (S)-3-((R)-cyclohexylhydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (1.7 g; 2^(nd) eluting peak).

Example 19 (S)-3-[(S)-Cyclohexyl-(2,6-dichlorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine

(S)-3-((R)-Cyclohexylhydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (190 mg, 670 μmol), was combined with PPh₃ (79 mg, 0.3 mmol), THF (0.2 mL), and 2,6-dichlorophenol (73 mg, 0.5 mmol). DIAD (59 μL, 0.3 mmol) was added and the mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature for 2 hours. EtOH (1.0 mL) and 4.0 N HCl in dioxane (0.5 mL, 2.0 mmol) were added, and the mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature overnight. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the remaining material was dissolved in 50% AcOH (6 mL) and purified by preparative HPLC (1″ C18 column; 10-50% MeCN over 1 hour). The clean fractions were pooled and lyophilized to yield the title compound as a mono-TFA salt (37 mg, 95% purity). MS m/z: [M+H]⁺ calcd for C₁₇H₂₃Cl₂NO, 328.12; found 328.4.

Example 20

Following the procedures described in the examples above, and substituting the appropriate starting materials and reagents, compounds 20-1 to 20-7, having formula IIIc, were also prepared as mono-TFA salts:

(IIIc)

MS m/z: [M + H]⁺ # * ** R² R³ R⁴ R⁵ R⁶ Formula calcd found 1 S R F H H H H C₁₇H₂₄FNO 278.18 278.2 2 RR/SS OMe H H H H C₁₈H₂₇NO₂ 290.20 290.2 3 S R −NO₂ H H H H C₁₇H₂₄N₂O₃ 305.18 305.2 4 S R −C(O)CH₃ H H H H C₁₉H₂₇NO₂ 302.20 302.2 5 S R Cl F H H H C₁₇H₂₃ClFNO 312.15 321.2 6 RS/SR H Cl H Cl H C₁₇H₂₃C₁₂NO 328.12 328.0 7 S R H F H H H C₁₇H₂₄FNO 278.18 278.2 The (S,R) compounds were prepared using the (S,R) alcohol. The RR/SS and RS/SR compounds were prepared using the (R,R) alcohol and the (R,S) alcohol, respectively. 1. (S)-3-[(R)-Cyclohexyl-(2-fluorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 2. 3-[Cyclohexyl-(2-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 3. (S)-3-[(R)-Cyclohexyl-(2-nitrophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 4. 1-[2-((R)-Cyclohexyl-(S)-pyrrolidin-3-yl-methoxy)phenyl]ethanone 5. (S)-3-[(R)-(2-Chloro-3-fluorophenoxy)cyclohexylmethyl]pyrrolidine 6. 3-[Cyclohexyl-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 7. (S)-3-[(R)-Cyclohexyl-(3-fluorophenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine

Preparation 10 3-[(4,4-Difluorocyclohexyl)hydroxymethyl]pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic Acid t-Butyl Ester

The title compound was prepared in a manner similar to that described in Preparation 9 for the synthesis of (S)-3-((R)-cyclohexylhydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester. (S)-3-Formylpyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester and LiHMDS were dissolved in THF under nitrogen and cooled at −78° C. 4,4-Difluoro-cyclohexanecarbonyl chloride (prepared by treatment of 4,4-difluorocyclohexane carboxylic acid with thionyl chloride in THF at 50° C. for 2 hours), was then added and the resulting mixture was stirred at −78° C. then allowed to reach room temperature overnight. BH₃.Me₂S in THF was added and the resulting mixture stirred at room temperature for 1 hour, then refluxed for 1 hour. The solids (1.03 g) were separated and dissolved in 1:1 AcOH:H₂O (20 mL) and purified by preparative HPLC (BDS, 40-60%). This was repeated twice to yield:

SS/RR stereoisomers (220 mg; 1^(st) eluting peak). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ 3.37-3.26 (m, 2H), 3.20-3.15 (m, 1H), 3.13-3.06 (m, 1H), 2.94-2.85 (m, 1H), 2.30-2.16 (m, 1H), 2.04-1.94 (m, 2H), 1.90-1.56 (m, 6H), 1.42-1.40 (m, 1H), 1.39 (s, 9H), 1.34-1.26 (m, 2H).

SR/RS stereoisomers (360 mg; 2^(nd) eluting peak). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ 3.40-3.32 (m, 2H), 3.20-3.08 (m, 2H), 3.03-2.94 (m, 1H), 2.29-2.18 (m, 1H), 2.04-1.94 (m, 2H), 1.84-1.68 (m, 4H), 1.60-1.55 (m, 2H), 1.52-1.44 (m, 1H), 1.39 (s, 9H), 1.33-1.29 (m, 2H).

Example 21 3-[(3,5-Dichloro-phenoxy)-(4,4-difluorocyclohexyl)methyl]pyrrolidine

(R)-3-[(S)-(4,4-Difluorocyclohexyl)hydroxymethyl]pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (44.0 mg, 138 mmol), copper(I) iodide (7.9 mg, 41 μmol), o-phenanthroline (15 mg, 83 μmol) and cesium carbonate (89.8 mg, 276 μmol) were combined. 1,3-Dichloro-5-iodobenzene (75.2 mg, 276 μmol) was added, followed by the addition of toluene (220 μL, 2.1 mmol). Air was bubbled through the mixture, the vessel was sealed, and the mixture was heated at 105° C. for 48 hours. The mixture was filtered, rinsed with DCM, and concentrated. The crude material was treated with 1.25M HCl in EtOH (5.8 mL, 7.2 mmol) and stirred overnight. The mixture was concentrated, redissolved in 1:1 AcOH:H₂O and purified by preparative HPLC to yield the title compound as a mono-TFA salt (1.5 mg, 96% purity). MS m/z: [M+H]⁺ calcd for C₁₇H₂₁Cl₂F₂NO, 364.10; found 364.0.

Example 22 (S)-3-[(S)-Cyclopropyl(naphthalen-1-yloxy)methyl]pyrrolidine

(S)-3-((S)-Cyclopropylhydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (35 mg, 140 μmol), copper(I) iodide (8.3 mg, 43.5 μmol), o-phenanthroline (15.7 mg, 87 μmol), and 1-iodonaphthalene (73.7 mg, 290 μmol) were combined. Toluene (463 μL, 4.4 mmol) was added, followed by the addition of cesium carbonate (94.5 mg, 290 μmol). Air was bubbled through the mixture, the vessel was scaled, and the mixture was heated at 105° C. for 72 hours. The mixture was filtered, rinsed with DCM, and concentrated. The crude material was treated with 1.25M HCl in EtOH (1.2 mL, 1.5 mmol) and stirred overnight. The mixture was concentrated, redissolved in 1:1 AcOH:H₂O and purified by preparative HPLC to yield the title compound as a mono-TFA salt (3.5 mg, 99% purity). MS m/z: [M+H]⁺ calcd for C₁₈H₂₁NO, 268.16; found 268.2.

Example 23

Following the procedures described in the examples above, and substituting the appropriate starting materials and reagents, compounds 23-1 and 23-2, having formula VIa, were also prepared as mono-TFA salts:

(VIa)

MS m/z: [M + H]⁺ # * ** R¹ R⁴ Formula calcd found 1 S R cyclopropyl H C₁₈H₂₁NO 268.16 268.2 2 S S cyclopropyl Cl C₁₈H₂₀ClNO 302.12 302.2 1. (S)-3-[(R)-Cyclopropyl-(2-methyl-3-vinylphenoxy)methyl]pyrrolidine 2. (S)-3-[(S)-(4-Chloronaphthalen-l-yloxy)cyclopropylmethyl]pyrrolidine

Preparation 11 (S)-3-((S)-1-Hydroxy-but-3-enyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic Acid t-Butyl Ester

(S)-3-Formylpyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (1.5 g, 7.5 mmol) was dissolved in THF (15.0 mL, 186 mmol). The reaction mixture and cooled at −78° C., before adding allylmagnesium bromide (1.0M in ether; 11.3 mL, 11.3 mmol) dropwise. The resulting mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature slowly overnight. The reaction was quenched with saturated aqueous NH₄Cl (30 mL), added dropwise. The resulting mixture was extracted with EtOAc (2×30 mL), then the combined organic layers were washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (1×30 mL) and saturated aqueous NaCl (1×30 mL), then dried over anhydrous MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to yield the crude product, which was then purified by preparative HPLC (10-50% MeCN:H₂O; 0.05% TFA; over 80 minutes). Each diastereomer dissolved in EtOAc and free based by adding saturated aqueous NH₄CO₃. The organics were separated, dried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvent removed to yield (S)-3-((S)-1-hydroxy-but-3-enyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (105 mg; 1^(st) eluting peak) and (S)-3-((R)-1-hydroxy-but-3-enyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (90 mg; 2^(nd) eluting peak).

Example 24 (S)-3-[(S)-1-(3-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)but-3-enyl]-pyrrolidine

(S)-3-((S)-1-Hydroxy-but-3-enyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (31 mg, 130 μmol) was dissolved in DMF (470 μL, 6.1 mmol). 60% Sodium hydride in oil (0.4:0.6, sodium hydride:mineral oil, 10.1 mg, 169 μmol) was carefully added, and the mixture allowed to stand for 15 minutes. 2-Chloro-6-fluorotoluene (47.0 μL, 390 μmol) was added. The mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 3 hours. The reaction was quenched with MeOH, and the solvent was removed. 1.2M HCl in EtOH (630 μL, 760 μmol) was added, and the mixture was stirred overnight. The product was concentrated and purified by preparative HPLC to yield the title compound as a mono-TFA salt (1 mg, 100% purity). MS m/z: [M+H]⁺ calcd for C₁₅H₂₀ClNO, 266.12; found 266.0.

Example 25

Following the procedures described in the examples above, and substituting the appropriate starting materials and reagents, compounds 25-1 and 25-2, having formula IVa, were also prepared as mono-TFA salts:

(IVa)

MS m/z: [M + H]⁺ # * ** R² R³ R⁴ R⁵ R⁶ Formula calcd found 1 S S H H Cl H H C₁₄H₁₈ClNO 252.11 252.0 2 S R Me H Cl H H C₁₅H₂₀ClNO 266.12 266.0 1. (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-Chlorophenoxy)but-3-enyl]pyrrolidine 2. (S)-3-[(R)-1-(4-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)but-3-enyl]pyrrolidine

Preparation 12 (S)-3-(1-Hydroxyprop-2-ynyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic Acid t-Butyl Ester

0.5 M Ethynylmagnesium bromide in THF (6.3 mL, 3140 μmol) was added dropwise over 5 minutes to a stirred solution of (S)-3-formylpyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (0.5 g, 2 mmol) in THF (5 mL, 60 mmol) at 0° C. The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature. After 4 hours, the reaction was quenched with the addition of saturated aqueous NH₄Cl (10 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (2×10 mL). The organic layers were combined, dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo.

This material was then dissolved in a mixture of MeCN (2.0 mL), water (3.0 mL) and AcOH (3.0 mL), filtered and purified by reverse phase preparative HPLC. The mixed fractions were combined and frozen dried. After lyophilization, the solids were partitioned between EtOAc (40.0 mL) and saturated NaHCO₃ (20.0 mL). The organic layer was washed with saturated aqueous NaCl (20.0 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated to give the title compound as a yellowish oil (168.2 mg).

Example 26 (S)-3-[1-(2,3,6-Trichlorophenoxy)prop-2-ynyl]pyrrolidine

A mixture of (S)-3-(1-hydroxyprop-2-ynyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid t-butyl ester (21.0 mg, 93.2 μmol) and DIAD (22.0 μL, 112 mmol) was dissolved in toluene (65 μL, 610 mmol) at room temperature. PPh₃ (29.3 mg, 112 mmol) and 2,3,6-trichlorophenol (20.2 mg, 102 μmol) were dissolved in toluene (0.1 mL, 1 mmol) and heated at 100° C. The t-butyl ester mixture was slowly added into the phenol mixture at 100° C., and stirred for 1 hour. The mixture was then removed from the heat and stirred at room temperature overnight. The mixture was then concentrated and the resulting residue was treated with 1.25M HCl in EtOH (0.6 mL, 0.8 mmol) at room temperature overnight. The mixture was concentrated and the residue was redissolved in a mixture of 50% AcOH/H₂O (1.4 mL) and McCN (0.2 mL), filtered and purified by reverse phase preparative HPLC to yield the title compound as a mono-TFA salt (21.2 mg, 99% purity). MS m/z: [M+H]⁺ calcd for C₁₃H₁₂Cl₃NO, 304.00; found 304.0.

Example 27

Following the procedures described in the examples above, and substituting the appropriate starting materials and reagents, compounds 27-1 and 27-2, having formula Va, were also prepared, typically as a mono-TFA salt:

(Va)

MS m/z: [M + H]⁺ # * ** R² R³ R⁴ R⁵ R⁶ Formula calcd found 1 SS/SR Cl Cl H H H C₁₃H₁₃Cl₂NO 270.04 270.0 2 SS/SR Me H Cl H H C₁₄H₁₆ClNO 250.09 250.2 1. (S)-3-[1-(2,3-Dichlorophenoxy)prop-2-ynyl]pyrrolidine 2. (S)-3-[1-(4-Chloro-2-methylphenoxy)prop-2-ynyl]pyrrolidine

Assay 1 hSERT, hNET, and hDAT Binding Assays

Membrane radioligand binding assays were used to measure inhibition of labeled ligand (³H-citalopram or ³H-nisoxetine or ³H-WIN35428) binding to membranes prepared from cells expressing the respective human recombinant transporter (hSERT or hNET or hDAT) in order to determine the pK_(i) values of test compounds at the transporters.

Membrane Preparation from Cells Expressing hSERT, hNET, or hDAT

Recombinant human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) derived cell lines stably transfected with hSERT or hNET, respectively, were grown in DMEM medium supplemented with 10% dialyzed FBS (for hSERT) or FBS (for hNET), 100 μg/mL penicillin, 100 μg/mL streptomycin, 2 mM L-glutamine and 250 μg/mL of the aminoglycoside antibiotic G418, in a 5% CO₂ humidified incubator at 37° C. When cultures reached 80% confluence, the cells were washed thoroughly in PBS (without Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺) and lifted with 5 mM EDTA in PBS. Cells were pelleted by centrifugation, resuspended in lysis buffer (10 mM Tris-HCl, pH7.5 containing 1 mM EDTA), homogenized, pelleted by centrifugation, then resuspended in 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5 and 10% sucrose at 4° C. Protein concentration of the membrane suspension was determined using a Bio-Rad Bradford Protein Assay kit. Membranes were snap frozen and stored at −80° C. Chinese hamster ovary membranes expressing hDAT (CHO-DAT) were purchased from PerkinElmer and stored at −80° C.

Binding Assays

Binding assays were performed in a 96-well assay plate in a total volume of 200 μl assay buffer (50 mM Tris-HCl, 120 mM NaCl, 5 mM KCl, pH 7.4) with 0.5, 1, and 3 μg membrane protein, for SERT, NET and DAT, respectively. Saturation binding studies, to determine radioligand K_(d) values for ³H-citalopram, ³H-nisoxetine, or ³H-WIN35428, respectively were conducted using 12 different radioligand concentrations ranging from 0.005-10 nM (³H-citalopram); 0.01-20 nM (³H-nisoxetine) and 0.2-50 nM (³H-WIN35428). Inhibition assays for determination of pK_(i) values of test compounds were conducted with 1.0 nM ³H-citalopram, 1.0 nM ³H-nisoxetine or 3.0 nM ³H-WIN35428, at 11 different concentrations of test compound ranging from 10 pM to 100 μM.

Stock solutions (10 mM in DMSO) of test compound were prepared and serial dilutions made using Dilution Buffer (50 mM Tris-HCl, 120 mM NaCl, 5 mM KCl, pH 7.4, 0.1% BSA, 400 μM ascorbic acid). Non-specific radioligand binding was determined in the presence of 1 μM duloxetine, 1 μM desipramine or 10 μM GBR12909 (each in Dilution Buffer) for the hSERT, hNET or hDAT assays, respectively.

Following a 60 minute incubation at 22° C. (or a period sufficient to reach equilibrium), the membranes were harvested by rapid filtration over a 96-well UniFilter GF/B plate, pretreated with 0.3% polyethyleneimine, and washed 6 times with 300 μl wash buffer (50 mM Tris-HCl, 0.9% NaCl, pH 7.5 at 4° C.). Plates were dried overnight at room temperature, approximately 45 μA of MicroScint™-20 (Perkin Elmer) added and bound radioactivity quantitated via liquid scintillation spectroscopy. Inhibition curves and saturation isotherms were analyzed using GraphPad Prism Software package (GraphPad Software, Inc., San Diego, Calif.). IC₅₀ values were generated from concentration response curves using the Sigmoidal Dose Response (variable slope) algorithm in Prism GraphPad. K_(d) and B_(max) values for the radioligand were generated from saturation isotherms using the Saturation Binding Global Fit algorithm in Prism GraphPad. pK_(i) (negative decadic logarithm of K_(i)) values for test compounds were calculated from the best-fit IC₅₀ values, and the K_(d) value of the radioligand, using the Cheng-Prusoff equation (Cheng & Prusoff (1973) Biochem. Pharmacol. 22(23):3099-3108): K_(i)=IC₅₀/(1+[L]/K_(d)), where [L]=concentration radioligand.

Compounds of the invention that were tested in this assay were found to exhibit pK_(i) values as set forth below:

SERT NET Ex. pK_(i) pK_(i)  1 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-1  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-2  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-3  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 2-4  n.d. n.d. 2-5  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-6  n.d. n.d. 2-7  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-8  n.d. n.d. 2-9  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-10 n.d. n.d. 2-11 n.d. n.d. 2-12 ≧7.0 ≧7.0 2-13 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-14 n.d. n.d. 2-15 n.d. n.d. 2-16 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 2-17 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 2-18 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 2-19 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-20 n.d. n.d. 2-21 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-22 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-23 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-24 n.d. n.d. 2-25 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-26 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-27 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-28 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-29 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-30 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 2-31 n.d. n.d. 2-32 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-33 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 2-34 n.d. n.d. 2-35 n.d. n.d. 2-36 ≧7.0 ≧7.0 2-37 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-38 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-39 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-40 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-41 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-42 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-43 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-44 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-45 n.d. n.d. 2-46 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-47 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-48 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-49 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-50 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 2-51 n.d. n.d. 2-52 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-53 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-54 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-55 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-56 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-57 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 2-58 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-59 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 2-60 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 2-61 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 2-62 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-63 ≧7.0 ≧7.0 2-64 n.d. n.d. 2-65 n.d. n.d. 2-66 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-67 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-68 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-69 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-70 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-71 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-72 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-73 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 2-74 n.d. n.d. 2-75 ≧8.0 ≧8.0  3 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-1  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-2  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-3  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 4-4  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 4-5  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-6  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-7  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-8  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 4-9  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-10 n.d. n.d. 4-11 n.d. n.d. 4-12 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-13 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-14 n.d. n.d. 4-15 n.d. n.d. 4-16 n.d. n.d. 4-17 n.d. n.d. 4-18 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-19 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-20 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-21 ≧7.0 ≧7.0 4-22 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 4-23 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-24 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 4-25 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-26 n.d. n.d. 4-27 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-28 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-29 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 4-30 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 4-31 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 4-32 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-33 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-34 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 4-35 ≧7.0 ≧7.0 4-36 ≧7.0 ≧7.0 4-37 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-38 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 4-39 n.d. n.d. 4-40 n.d. n.d. 4-41 n.d. n.d. 4-42 n.d. n.d. 4-43 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-44 n.d. n.d. 4-45 n.d. n.d. 4-46 n.d. n.d. 4-47 n.d. n.d. 4-48 n.d. n.d. 4-49 n.d. n.d. 4-50 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-51 n.d. n.d. 4-52 n.d. n.d. 4-53 n.d. n.d. 4-54 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-55 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-56 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 4-57 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-58 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-59 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-60 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 4-61 n.d. n.d. 4-62 n.d. n.d. 4-63 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-64 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-65 ≧7.0 ≧7.0 4-66 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 4-67 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 4-68 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-69 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 4-70 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 4-71 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-72 n.d. n.d.  5 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-1  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 6-2  ≧7.0 ≧7.0 6-3  n.d. n.d. 6-4  n.d. n.d. 6-5  n.d. n.d. 6-6  n.d. n.d. 6-7  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-8  n.d. n.d. 6-9  n.d. n.d. 6-10 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-11 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-12 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-13 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-14 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-15 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-16 n.d. n.d. 6-17 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-18 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-19 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 6-20 n.d. n.d. 6-21 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-22 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 6-23 n.d. n.d. 6-24 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-25 n.d. n.d. 6-26 n.d. n.d. 6-27 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 6-28 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-29 ≧7.0 ≧7.0 6-30 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-31 n.d. n.d. 6-32 n.d. n.d. 6-33 n.d. n.d. 6-34 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-35 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-36 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-37 n.d. n.d. 6-38 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-39 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-40 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-41 n.d. n.d. 6-42 n.d. n.d. 6-43 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-44 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 6-45 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-46 n.d. n.d. 6-47 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-48 n.d. n.d. 6-49 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-50 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-51 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-52 ≧7.0 ≧7.0 6-53 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 6-54 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 6-55 ≧7.0 ≧7.0 6-56 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-57 n.d. n.d. 6-58 n.d. n.d. 6-59 n.d. n.d. 6-60 n.d. n.d. 6-61 n.d. n.d. 6-62 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-63 n.d. n.d. 6-64 n.d. n.d. 6-65 n.d. n.d. 6-66 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 6-67 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 6-68 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-69 n.d. n.d. 6-70 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-71 n.d. n.d. 6-72 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 6-73 ≧7.0 ≧7.0 6-74 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-75 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 6-76 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 6-77 ≧8.0 ≧7.0  7 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 8-1  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 8-2  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 8-3  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 8-4  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 8-5  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 8-6  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 8-7  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 8-8  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 8-9  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 8-10 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 8-11 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 8-12 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 8-13 ≧8.0 ≧8.0  9 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-1  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-2  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 10-3  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-4  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-5  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-6  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 10-7  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 10-8  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-9  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-10  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-11  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-12  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 10-13  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-14  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 10-15  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-16  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-17  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 10-18  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-19  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-20  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-21  n.d. n.d. 10-22  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-23  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-24  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-25  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-26  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-27  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-28  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-29  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-30  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-31  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-32  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-33  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-34  n.d. n.d. 10-35  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-36  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-37  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 10-38  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 10-39  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-40  n.d. n.d. 10-41  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-42  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-43  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 10-44  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 10-45  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-46  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 10-47  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-48  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-49  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-50  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-51  n.d. n.d. 10-52  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-53  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-54  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-55  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-56  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-57  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-58  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-59  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-60  n.d. n.d. 10-61  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-62  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-63  n.d. n.d. 10-64  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-65  n.d. n.d. 10-66  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-67  n.d. n.d. 10-68  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-69  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-70  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-71  n.d. n.d. 10-72  n.d. n.d. 10-73  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-74  n.d. n.d. 10-75  n.d. n.d. 10-76  n.d. n.d. 10-77  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-78  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-79  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-80  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-81  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-82  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-83  n.d. n.d. 10-84  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-85  n.d. n.d. 10-86  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 11 n.d. n.d. 12-1  n.d. n.d. 13 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 14-1  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 14-2  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 14-3  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 14-4  n.d. n.d. 14-5  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 14-6  n.d. n.d. 14-7  n.d. n.d. 14-8  n.d. n.d. 14-9  n.d. n.d. 15 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-1  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-2  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-3  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 16-4  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 16-5  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 16-6  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 16-7  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-8  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-9  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-10  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-11  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-12  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-13  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 16-14  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-15  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-16  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-17  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 16-18  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 16-19  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-20  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 16-21  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 16-22  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-23  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-24  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 16-25  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-26  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 16-27  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 16-28  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-29  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-30  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 16-31  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 16-32  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 16-33  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 16-34  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-35  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-36  ≧7.0 ≧7.0 16-37  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-38  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-39  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 16-40  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 16-41  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-42  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 16-43  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 16-44  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 16-45  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 16-46  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-47  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 16-48  n.d. n.d. 16-49  n.d. n.d. 16-50  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-51  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-52  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-53  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-54  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-55  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-56  ≧8.0 ≧6.5 16-57  n.d. n.d. 16-58  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-59  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-60  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-61  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-62  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-63  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-64  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-65  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-66  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-67  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-68  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 16-69  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 16-70  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 16-71  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 16-72  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 16-73  ≧8.0 ≧5.5 16-74  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-75  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-76  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-77  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-78  n.d. n.d. 16-79  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-80  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-81  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-82  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 16-83  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 16-84  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-85  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-86  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-87  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-88  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-89  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-90  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 16-91  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-92  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 16-93  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-94  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-95  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 16-96  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-97  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-98  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-99  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-100 n.d. n.d. 16-101 n.d. n.d. 16-102 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 16-103 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-104 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 17 n.d. n.d. 18-1  n.d. n.d. 18-2  n.d. n.d. 18-3  n.d. n.d. 18-4  n.d. n.d. 18-5  n.d. n.d. 18-6  n.d. n.d. 18-7  n.d. n.d. 18-8  n.d. n.d. 18-9  n.d. n.d. 18-10  n.d. n.d. 18-11  n.d. n.d. 18-12  n.d. n.d. 19 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 20-1  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 20-2  ≧7.0 ≧7.0 20-3  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 20-4  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 20-5  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 20-6  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 20-7  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 21 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 22 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 23-1  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 23-2  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 24 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 25-1  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 25-2  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 26 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 27-1  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 27-2  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 n.d. = not determined

Assay 2 hSERT, hNET and hDAT Neurotransmitter Uptake Assays

Neurotransmitter uptake assays were used to measure inhibition of ³H-serotonin (³H-5-HT), ³H-norepinephrine (³H-NE), and ³H-dopamine (³H-DA) uptake into cells expressing the respective transporter (hSERT, hNET or hDAT) in order to determine the pIC₅₀ values of test compounds at the transporters.

³H-5-HT, ³H-NE, and ³H-DA Uptake Assays

HEK-293 derived cell lines stably-transfected with hSERT, hNET, or hDAT, respectively, were grown in DMEM medium supplemented with 10% dialyzed FBS (for hSERT) or FBS (for hNET and hDAT), 100 μg/mL penicillin, 100 μg/mL streptomycin, 2 mM L-glutamine and 250 μg/mL of the aminoglycoside antibiotic G418 (for hSERT and hNET) or 800 ug/mL (for hDAT), in a 5% CO₂ humidified incubator at 37° C. When cultures reached 80% confluence, the cells were washed thoroughly in PBS (without Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺) and lifted with 5 mM EDTA in PBS. Cells were harvested by centrifugation at 1100 rpm for 5 minutes, washed once by resuspension in PBS, then centrifuged. The supernatant was discarded and the cell pellet resuspended, by gentle trituration, in room temperature Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer containing HEPES (10 mM), CaCl₂ (2.2 mM), ascorbic acid (200 μM) and pargyline (200 μM), pH 7.4. The final concentration of cells in the cell suspension was 7.5×10⁴ cells/mL, 1.25×10⁵ cells/mL, and 5.0×10⁴ cells/mL for SERT, NET, and DAT cell lines, respectively.

Neurotransmitter uptake assays were performed in a 96-well assay plate in a total volume of 400 μl assay buffer (Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer containing HEPES (10 mM), CaCl₂ (2.2 mM), ascorbic acid (200 μM) and pargyline (200 μM), pH 7.4) with 1.5×10⁴ and 2.5×10⁴ cells, for SERT, NET, and DAT, respectively. Inhibition assays for determination of pIC₅₀ values of test compounds were conducted with 11 different concentrations, ranging from 10 μM to 100 μM. Stock solutions (10 mM in DMSO) of test compound were prepared and serial dilutions prepared using 50 mM Tris-HCl, 120 mM NaCl, 5 mM KCl, pH 7.4, 0.1% BSA, 400 μM ascorbic acid. Test compounds were incubated for 30 minutes at 37° C. with the respective cells, prior to addition of radiolabeled neurotransmitter, ³H-5-HT (20 nM final concentration), ³H-NE (50 nM final concentration) or ³H-DA (100 nM final concentration). Non-specific neurotransmitter uptake was determined in the presence of 2.5 μM duloxetine, 2.5 μM desipramine, or 10 uM GBR-12909 (each in Dilution Buffer) for the hSERT, hNET, or hDAT assays, respectively.

Following a 10 minute incubation, at 37° C., with radioligand, the cells were harvested by rapid filtration over a 96-well UniFilter GF/B plate, pretreated with 1% BSA, and washed 6 times with 650 μl wash buffer (ice cold PBS). Plates were dried overnight at 37° C., ˜45 μl of MicroScint™-20 (Perkin Elmer) added and incorporated radioactivity quantitated via liquid scintillation spectroscopy Inhibition curves were analyzed using GraphPad Prism Software package (GraphPad Software, Inc., San Diego, Calif.). IC₅₀ values were generated from concentration response curves using the Sigmoidal Dose Response (variable slope) algorithm in Prism GraphPad.

Compounds of the invention were tested in this assay or in a fluorescence-based assay as described in Tsuruda et al. (2010) Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods 61(2):192-204 (data indicated by an asterisk in the table), and were found to have serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition pIC₅₀ values as follows:

SERT NET Ex. pIC₅₀ pIC₅₀  1 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-1  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-2  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-3  n.d. n.d. 2-4  ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 2-5  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-6  ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 2-7  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-8  ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 2-9  n.d. n.d. 2-10 ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 2-11 ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 2-12 n.d. n.d. 2-13 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-14 ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 2-15 ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 2-16 n.d. n.d. 2-17 n.d. n.d. 2-18 ≧7.0 ≧7.0 2-19 ≧7.0 ≧7.0 2-20 ≧7.0* ≧7.0* 2-21 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-22 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-23 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-24 ≧7.0* ≧7.0* 2-25 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-26 n.d. n.d. 2-27 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-28 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-29 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-30 n.d. n.d. 2-31 ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 2-32 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-33 n.d. n.d. 2-34 ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 2-35 ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 2-36 n.d. n.d. 2-37 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-38 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-39 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-40 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-41 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-42 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-43 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-44 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-45 ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 2-46 n.d. n.d. 2-47 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-48 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-49 n.d. n.d. 2-50 n.d. n.d. 2-51 ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 2-52 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-53 n.d. n.d. 2-54 n.d. n.d. 2-55 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-56 n.d. n.d. 2-57 ≧7.0 ≧7.0 2-58 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-59 n.d. n.d. 2-60 ≧7.0 ≧7.0 2-61 n.d. n.d. 2-62 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-63 n.d. n.d. 2-64 ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 2-65 ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 2-66 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-67 n.d. n.d. 2-68 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 2-69 ≧7.0 ≧7.0 2-70 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-71 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 2-72 ≧7.0 ≧7.0 2-73 n.d. n.d. 2-74 ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 2-75 ≧7.0 ≧8.0  3 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-1  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-2  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 4-3  n.d. n.d. 4-4  n.d. n.d. 4-5  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 4-6  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-7  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-8  n.d. n.d. 4-9  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 4-10 ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 4-11 ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 4-12 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-13 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-14 ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 4-15 ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 4-16 ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 4-17 ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 4-18 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-19 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 4-20 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 4-21 n.d. n.d. 4-22 n.d. n.d. 4-23 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-24 n.d. n.d. 4-25 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-26 ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 4-27 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-28 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-29 n.d. n.d. 4-30 n.d. n.d. 4-31 n.d. n.d. 4-32 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-33 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 4-34 n.d. n.d. 4-35 n.d. n.d. 4-36 n.d. n.d. 4-37 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-38 n.d. n.d. 4-39 ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 4-40 ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 4-41 ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 4-42 ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 4-43 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-44 ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 4-45 ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 4-46 ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 4-47 ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 4-48 ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 4-49 ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 4-50 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 4-51 ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 4-52 ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 4-53 ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 4-54 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-55 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 4-56 n.d. n.d. 4-57 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-58 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-59 n.d. n.d. 4-60 n.d. n.d. 4-61 ≧7.0* ≧7.0* 4-62 ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 4-63 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 4-64 n.d. n.d. 4-65 n.d. n.d. 4-66 n.d. n.d. 4-67 n.d. n.d. 4-68 n.d. n.d. 4-69 n.d. n.d. 4-70 n.d. n.d. 4-71 ≧7.0* ≧7.0* 4-72 ≧8.0* ≧8.0*  5 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-1  n.d. n.d. 6-2  n.d. n.d. 6-3  ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 6-4  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 6-5  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 6-6  ≧7.0* ≧7.0* 6-7  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-8  ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 6-9  ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 6-10 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-11 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 6-12 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-13 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-14 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-15 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-16 ≧7.0* ≧7.0* 6-17 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-18 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 6-19 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 6-20 ≧7.0* ≧7.0* 6-21 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-22 n.d. n.d. 6-23 ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 6-24 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-25 ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 6-26 ≧7.0* ≧7.0* 6-27 n.d. n.d. 6-28 ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 6-29 n.d. n.d. 6-30 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-31 ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 6-32 ≧7.0* ≧6.5* 6-33 ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 6-34 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-35 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-36 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 6-37 ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 6-38 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 6-39 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-40 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-41 ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 6-42 ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 6-43 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-44 n.d. n.d. 6-45 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-46 ≧7.0* ≧7.0* 6-47 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-48 ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 6-49 ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 6-50 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 6-51 ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 6-52 n.d. n.d. 6-53 n.d. n.d. 6-54 n.d. n.d. 6-55 n.d. n.d. 6-56 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-57 ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 6-58 ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 6-59 ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 6-60 ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 6-61 ≧7.0* ≧7.0* 6-62 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-63 ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 6-64 ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 6-65 ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 6-66 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 6-67 n.d. n.d. 6-68 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-69 ≧7.0* ≧7.0* 6-70 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-71 ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 6-72 n.d. n.d. 6-73 n.d. n.d. 6-74 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 6-75 ≧8.0 ≧7.0 6-76 n.d. n.d. 6-77 n.d. n.d.  7 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 8-1  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 8-2  ≧7.0 ≧7.0 8-3  ≧7.0 ≧7.0 8-4  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 8-5  n.d. n.d. 8-6  n.d. n.d. 8-7  n.d. n.d. 8-8  n.d. n.d. 8-9  n.d. n.d. 8-10 n.d. n.d. 8-11 n.d. n.d. 8-12 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 8-13 ≧8.0 ≧8.0  9 ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 10-1  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 10-2  n.d. n.d. 10-3  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 10-4  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 10-5  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 10-6  n.d. n.d. 10-7  ≧7.0 ≧7.0 10-8  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 10-9  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 10-10  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-11  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-12  n.d. n.d. 10-13  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-14  n.d. n.d. 10-15  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 10-16  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-17  n.d. n.d. 10-18  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-19  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-20  ≧7.0 ≧7.0 10-21  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 10-22  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-23  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-24  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 10-25  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-26  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-27  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-28  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 10-29  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-30  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-31  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-32  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 10-33  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 10-34  ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 10-35  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-36  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-37  n.d. n.d. 10-38  n.d. n.d. 10-39  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-40  ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 10-41  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-42  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-43  n.d. n.d. 10-44  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-45  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-46  n.d. n.d. 10-47  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-48  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-49  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-50  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 10-51  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 10-52  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-53  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-54  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-55  ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 10-56  ≧7.0* ≧7.0* 10-57  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 10-58  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-59  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-60  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 10-61  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-62  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-63  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 10-64  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-65  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 10-66  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-67  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 10-68  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-69  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-70  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-71  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 10-72  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 10-73  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-74  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 10-75  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 10-76  ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 10-77  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-78  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-79  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-80  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 10-81  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-82  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-83  ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 10-84  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 10-85  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 10-86  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 11 ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 12-1  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 13 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 14-1  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 14-2  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 14-3  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 14-4  ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 14-5  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 14-6  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 14-7  ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 14-8  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 14-9  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 15 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-1  ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 16-2  ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 16-3  ≧6.5 ≧8.0 16-4  n.d. n.d. 16-5  n.d. n.d. 16-6  n.d. n.d. 16-7  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-8  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-9  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 16-10  ≧7.0 ≧7.0 16-11  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 16-12  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 16-13  n.d. n.d. 16-14  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 16-15  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-16  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-17  n.d. n.d. 16-18  n.d. n.d. 16-19  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-20  n.d. n.d. 16-21  n.d. n.d. 16-22  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 16-23  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-24  n.d. n.d. 16-25  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-26  n.d. n.d. 16-27  n.d. n.d. 16-28  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-29  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-30  n.d. n.d. 16-31  n.d. n.d. 16-32  n.d. n.d. 16-33  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 16-34  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-35  n.d. n.d. 16-36  n.d. n.d. 16-37  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-38  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 16-39  n.d. n.d. 16-40  n.d. n.d. 16-41  ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 16-42  ≧7.0* ≧7.0* 16-43  n.d. n.d. 16-44  ≧6.5 ≧8.0 16-45  n.d. n.d. 16-46  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 16-47  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 16-48  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 16-49  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 16-50  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 16-51  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-52  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 16-53  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 16-54  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 16-55  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-56  ≧8.0* ≧6.5* 16-57  ≧7.0* ≧7.0* 16-58  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 16-59  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 16-60  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 16-61  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 16-62  ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 16-63  ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 16-64  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 16-65  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-66  ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 16-67  ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 16-68  n.d. n.d. 16-69  n.d. n.d. 16-70  n.d. n.d. 16-71  n.d. n.d. 16-72  ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 16-73  ≧7.0* n.d. 16-74  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 16-75  n.d. n.d. 16-76  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-77  ≧8.0 ≧7.0 16-78  ≧7.0* ≧7.0* 16-79  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-80  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 16-81  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 16-82  n.d. n.d. 16-83  n.d. n.d. 16-84  ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 16-85  ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 16-86  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 16-87  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 16-88  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 16-89  ≧7.0 ≧7.0 16-90  n.d. n.d. 16-91  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-92  n.d. n.d. 16-93  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-94  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 16-95  ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 16-96  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-97  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-98  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 16-99  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 16-100 ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 16-101 ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 16-102 n.d. n.d. 16-103 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 16-104 n.d. n.d. 17 ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 18-1  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 18-2  ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 18-3  ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 18-4  ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 18-5  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 18-6  ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 18-7  ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 18-8  ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 18-9  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 18-10  ≧7.0* ≧8.0* 18-11  ≧8.0* ≧7.0* 18-12  ≧7.0* ≧7.0* 19 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 20-1  n.d. n.d. 20-2  n.d. n.d. 20-3  n.d. n.d. 20-4  n.d. n.d. 20-5  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 20-6  n.d. n.d. 20-7  n.d. n.d. 21 n.d. n.d. 22 ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 23-1  ≧8.0* ≧8.0* 23-2  n.d. n.d. 24 ≧8.0 ≧8.0 25-1  ≧8.0 ≧8.0 25-2  n.d. n.d. 26 ≧7.0 ≧8.0 27-1  ≧7.0 ≧8.0 27-2  n.d. n.d. n.d. = not determined

Assay 3 Ex Vivo SERT and NET Transporter Occupancy Studies

Ex vivo radioligand binding and neurotransmitter uptake assays are used to determine the in vivo occupancy of SERT and NET, in selected brain regions, following in vivo administration (acute or chronic) of test compounds. Following administration of test compound (by intravenous, intraperitoneal, oral, subcutaneous or other route) at the appropriate dose (0.0001 to 100 mg/kg), rats (≧n=4 per group) are euthanized at specific time points (10 minutes to 48 hours) by decapitation and the brain dissected on ice. Relevant brain regions are dissected, frozen and stored at −80° C. until use.

Ex Vivo SERT and NET Radioligand Binding Assays

For ex vivo radioligand binding assays, the initial rates of association of SERT (³H-citalopram), and NET-(³H-nisoxetine) selective radioligands with rat brain crude homogenates, prepared from vehicle and test compound-treated animals, are monitored (see Hess et al. (2004) J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 310(2):488-497). Crude brain tissue homogenates are prepared by homogenizing frozen tissue pieces in 0.15 mL (per mg wet weight) of 50 mM Tris-HCl, 120 mM NaCl, 5 mM KCl, pH 7.4 buffer. Radioligand association assays are performed in a 96-well assay plate in a total volume of 200 μl assay buffer (50 mM Tris-HCl, 120 mM NaCl, 5 mM KCl, 0.025% BSA, pH 7.4) with 650 μg wet weight tissue (equivalent to 25 μg protein). Homogenates are incubated for up to 5 minutes with ³H-citalopram (3 nM) and ³H-nisoxetine (5 nM), respectively, prior to termination of the assay by rapid filtration over a 96-well UniFilter GF/B plate, pretreated with 0.3% polyethyleneimine. Filters then are washed 6 times with 300 μl wash buffer (50 mM Tris-HCl, 0.9% NaCl, pH 7.4 at 4° C.). Non-specific radioligand binding is determined in the presence of 1 μM duloxetine, or 1 μM despiramine, for ³H-citalopram or ³H-nisoxetine, respectively. The plates are dried overnight at room temperature, ˜45 μl of MicroScint™-20 (Perkin Elmer) is added and bound radioactivity quantitated via liquid scintillation spectroscopy. The initial rates of association of ³H-citalopram and ³H-nisoxetine are determined by linear regression using GraphPad Prism Software package (GraphPad Software, Inc., San Diego, Calif.). The average rate of radioligand association to brain tissue homogenates from vehicle-treated animals us determined. The % occupancy of test compounds then us determined using the following equation:

% occupancy=100×(1−(initial rate association for test compound-treated tissue/mean rate association for vehicle-treated tissue))

ED₅₀ values are determined by plotting the log 10 of the dose of the test compound against the % occupancy. ED₅₀ values are generated from concentration response curves using the Sigmoidal Dose Response (variable slope) algorithm in GraphPad Prism.

Ex Vivo SERT and NET Uptake Assays

Ex vivo neurotransmitter uptake assays, in which the uptake of ³H-5-HT or ³H-NE into rat brain crude homogenates, prepared from vehicle and test compound-treated animals, are used to measure in vivo SERT and NET transporter occupancy (see Wong et al. (1993) Neuropsychopharmacology 8(1):23-33). Crude brain tissue homogenates are prepared by homogenizing frozen tissue pieces in 0.5 mL (per mg wet weight) of 10 mM HEPES buffer pH 7.4, containing 0.32 M sucrose, 200 μM ascorbic acid and 200 μM pargyline, at 22° C. Neurotransmitter uptake assays are performed in a 96-well Axygen plate in a total volume of 350 μl assay buffer (Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer with 10 mM HEPES, 2.2 mM CaCl₂, 200 μM ascorbic acid and 200 μM pargyline, pH 7.4) with 50 μg protein. Homogenates are incubated for 5 minutes at 37° C. with ³H-5-HT (20 nM) and ³H-NE (50 nM), respectively, prior to termination of the assay by rapid filtration over a 96-well UniFilter GF/B plate, pretreated with 1% BSA. Plates are washed 6 times with 650 μl wash buffer (ice cold PBS) and dried overnight at 37° C., prior to addition of ˜45 μl of MicroScint™-20 (Perkin Elmer). Incorporated radioactivity is quantitated via liquid scintillation spectroscopy. Non-specific neurotransmitter uptake is determined in parallel assays in which tissue homogenates are incubated with ³H-5-HT (20 nM) or ³H-NE (50 nM) for 5 minutes at 4° C.

Assay 4 Other Assays

Other assays that are used to evaluate the pharmacological properties of test compounds include, but are not limited to, cold ligand binding kinetics assays (Motulsky and Mahan (1984) Molecular Pharmacol. 25(1):1-9) with membranes prepared from cells expressing hSERT or hNET; conventional membrane radioligand binding assays using radiolabeled, for example, tritiated, test compound; radioligand binding assays using native tissue from, for example rodent or human brain; neurotransmitter uptake assays using human or rodent platelets; neurotransmitter uptake assays using crude, or pure, synaptosome preparations from rodent brain.

Assay 5 Formalin Paw Test

Compounds are assessed for their ability to inhibit the behavioral response evoked by a 50 μl injection of formalin (5%). A metal band is affixed to the left hind paw of male Sprague-Dawley rats (200-250 g) and each rat is conditioned to the band for 60 minutes within a plastic cylinder (15 cm diameter). Compounds are prepared in pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles and administered systemically (i.p., p.o.) at pre-designated times before formalin challenge. Spontaneous nociceptive behaviors consisting of flinching of the injected (banded) hind paw are counted continuously for 60 minutes using an automated nociception analyzer (UCSD Anesthesiology Research, San Diego, Calif.). Antinociceptive properties of test articles are determined by comparing the number of flinches in the vehicle and compound-treated rats (Yaksh T L et al., “An automated flinch detecting system for use in the formalin nociceptive bioassay” (2001) J. Appl. Physiol. 90(6):2386-2402).

Assay 6 Spinal Nerve Ligation Model

Compounds are assessed for their ability to reverse tactile allodynia (increased sensitivity to an innocuous mechanical stimulus) induced by nerve injury. Male Sprague-Dawley rats are surgically prepared as described in Kim and Chung “An experimental model for peripheral neuropathy produced by segmental spinal nerve ligation in the rat” (1992) Pain 50(3):355-363. Mechanical sensitivity is determined as the 50% withdrawal response to innocuous mechanical stimuli (Chaplan et al., “Quantitative assessment of tactile allodynia in the rat paw” (1994) J. Neurosci. Methods 53(1):55-63) before and after nerve injury. One to four weeks post-surgery, compounds are prepared in pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles and administered systemically (i.p., p.o.). The degree of nerve injury-induced mechanical sensitivity before and after treatment serves as an index of the compounds' antinociceptive properties.

While the present invention has been described with reference to specific aspects or embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skilled in the art that various changes can be made or equivalents can be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, to the extent permitted by applicable patent statues and regulations, all publications, patents and patent applications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each document had been individually incorporated by reference herein. 

1. A compound of formula I:

where: R¹ is selected from —C₂₋₆alkyl, —C₃₋₈cycloalkyl optionally substituted with 1 or 2 fluoro atoms, —C₂₋₆alkenyl, and —C₂₋₆alkynyl; R² through R⁶ are independently selected from hydrogen, halo, —C₁₋₆alkyl, —CF₃, —O—C₁₋₆alkyl, —CN, —C(O)—C₁₋₆alkyl, —S—C₁₋₆alkyl, —C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, and —NO₂; or R⁴ and R⁵ are taken together to form —CH═CH—CH═CH—; or R⁵ and R⁶ are taken together to form —CH—CH═CH—CH—; with the proviso that when R¹ is ethyl, R² is fluoro, R⁴ is chloro, R⁵ is hydrogen, and R⁶ is hydrogen, then R³ is not fluoro or chloro; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 2. The compound of claim 1, where R¹ is —C₂₋₆alkyl selected from ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, and 3-pentyl.
 3. The compound of claim 1, where R¹ is —C₃₋₈cycloalkyl optionally substituted with 1 or 2 fluoro atoms, selected from cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and 4,4-difluorocyclohexyl.
 4. The compound of claim 1, where R¹ is but-3-enyl.
 5. The compound of claim 1, where R¹ is —C≡CH.
 6. The compound of claim 1, where R² is hydrogen, halo, —C₁₋₆alkyl, —CF₃, —O—C₁₋₆alkyl, —C(O)—C₁₋₆alkyl, —S—C₁₋₆alkyl, —C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, or —NO₂.
 7. The compound of claim 6, where R² is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —CF₃, —O—CH₃, —O—CH₂CH₃, —C(O)—CH₃, —S—CH₃, cyclohexyl, or —NO.
 8. The compound of claim 1, where R³ is hydrogen, halo, —C₁₋₆alkyl, —CF₃, —O—C₁₋₆alkyl, or —S—C₁₋₆alkyl.
 9. The compound of claim 8, where R³ is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, —CH₃, —CF₃, —O—CH₃, or —S—CH₃.
 10. The compound of claim 1, where R⁴ is hydrogen, halo, —C₁₋₆alkyl, —CF₃, or —O—C₁₋₆alkyl.
 11. The compound of claim 10, where R⁴ is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, —CH₃, —CF₃, or —O—CH₃.
 12. The compound of claim 1, where R⁵ is hydrogen, halo, —C₁₋₆alkyl, or —O—C₁₋₆alkyl.
 13. The compound of claim 12, where R⁵ is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, —CH₃, or —O—CH₃.
 14. The compound of claim 1, where R⁶ is hydrogen, halo, or —C₁₋₆alkyl.
 15. The compound of claim 14, where R⁶ is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, or —CH₃.
 16. The compound of claim 1, where R⁵ and R⁶ are taken together to form —CH═CH—CH═CH—.
 17. The compound of claim 1, where R² and R³ are non-hydrogen moieties, and R⁴, R⁵, and R⁶ are hydrogen.
 18. The compound of claim 1, where R² and R⁴ are non-hydrogen moieties, and R³, R⁵, and R⁶ are hydrogen.
 19. The compound of claim 1, where R³ and R⁴ are non-hydrogen moieties, and R², R⁵, and R⁶ are hydrogen.
 20. The compound of claim 1, where R², R³, and R⁴ are non-hydrogen moieties, and R⁵ and R⁶ are hydrogen.
 21. The compound of claim 1, where R², R⁴, and R⁶ are non-hydrogen moieties, and R³ and R⁵ are hydrogen.
 22. The compound of claim 1, which is 3-[1-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine.
 23. The compound of claim 1, which has a configuration selected from:

or enriched in a stereoisomeric form having such configuration.
 24. The compound of claim 23, which is selected from (R)-3-[(R)-1-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine, (S)-3-[(S)-1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine, (S)-3-[(R)-1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine, and (R)-3-[(S)-1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropyl]pyrrolidine.
 25. A method of preparing the compound of claim 1, the process comprising deprotecting a compound of the formula:

where P represents an amino-protecting group, to provide a compound of formula I, or a salt thereof.
 26. An intermediate useful in the synthesis of the compound of claim 1, having the formula:

where P represents an amino-protecting group.
 27. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim 1, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 28. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 27, further comprising a second therapeutic agent selected from anti-Alzheimer's agents, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, anti-Parkinson's agents, dual serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, opioid agonists, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, sodium channel blockers, sympatholytics, and combinations thereof.
 29. A method of treating a patient that is suffering from a disease or disorder that is treated by the inhibition of the serotonin and/or the norepinephrine transporter, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of claim
 1. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the disorder or disease is selected from pain disorders, depressive disorders, affective disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, cognitive disorders, stress urinary incontinence, chronic fatigue syndrome, obesity, and vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the pain disorder is neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, or chronic pain. 